Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Matthews, a shoe trade clicker, born in the January quarter of 1860 in Northampton (son of William Matthews, 1824-18 and Mary Ann Clayson, 1825-1857) and his wife Anna Sarah Ann Matthews (nee Quinton, married on the 17th June 1883 in St. George’s Church, Leicester), born in the July quarter of 1859 in Higham, Suffolk and baptised on the 27th October 1861 in St. Mary’s Church, Higham (daughter of John Quinton, 1831-1900 and Susan Keeble, 1830-1892). William Henry, was born on the 22nd August 1888 in Leicester and baptised on the 29th April 1894 in St. Peter’s Church, Leicester, his siblings were, George, a shoe trade fitting cutter, born on the 5th October 1884 and baptised on the 29th April 1894 in St. Peter’s Church, Leicester, Raymond, a shoe trade fitting cutter, born on the 18th April 1886 and baptised on the 29th April 1894 in St. Peter’s Church, Leicester, Alfred Charles, born on the 4th August 1890 and baptised on the 29th April 1894 in St. Peters Church, Leicester, Bertha Ellen, born on the 21st February 1896 and baptised on the 26th April 1896 in St. Peter’s Church, Leicester and Harold Arthur, born in the October quarter of 1897 and baptised on the 28th November 1897 in St. Peter’s Church, Leicester, all his siblings were born in Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at 73, Orson Street, Leicester. William’s father died in the April quarter of 1910 in Leicester, aged 50. In April 1911 William was employed as a boot trade finisher and was residing in the family home at 32, Quorn Road, Leicester, together with his widowed mother and siblings, Raymond, a boot trade clicker, Alfred, a hairdresser, Bertha, a hosiery trade worker and Harold, a schoolboy. William’s younger brother Harold died on the 20th April 1917 from wounds received in action.
William enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 1st September 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 2600. He gave his place of birth as Leicester and age as 26 years. His marital status was given as married.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 1st September 1914 and recorded his apparent age as 26 years 5 months, that he was 5-feet 10½ inches in height, weighed 11 stone 7 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 36½ and 39 inches, his complexion was described as medium, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was brown. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin father, Mr. S. Matthews. 30, Hinckley Road, Leicester.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. At Leicester. 1/9/14.
Posted. To 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 1/9/14.
Embodied service commenced. Pte. 1/9/14.
Transferred. From 2/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 15/8/15.
Transferred. To 1/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 15/8/15.
Embarked. From Southampton. 19/8/15.
Disembarked. At Rouen. 20/8/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 1/9/14 – 19/8/15. 343 days.
France. 20/8/15 – 13/10/15. 55 days.
Total Service. 1 year 33 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 12 Oct-15 - At 9.00 am Battalion marched to SAILLY LABOURSE. Dinners and teas were cooked here. Rations for 134 men issued. At 5.15 pm Battalion marched to VERMELLES where stores were taken up. At 11.00 pm Battalion arrived in trenches.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00 pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50 pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00 pm artillery lifted and Battalion assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lieutenant Colonel R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brigadier General KEMP. All officers of the Battalion either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battalion was relieved by part of the 139th Brigade and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Brigade 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Brigade 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
On Tuesday, November 16th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Official information has been received of the death of Private W. MATTHEWS, 1st-4th Leicestershire Regiment, who was killed in the charge on October 13th. Previous to enlisting he worked at Messrs. Thompson and Co’s., Western Boulevard. His mother lives at 30, Hinckley-road, Leicester.
And in the same edition the following article was published under the heading. - LEICESTERS FALLEN IN ACTION, OR MISSING. - (A photograph accompanied the article). – Pte. W. MATTHEWS, 4th Leicester’s, killed in action, Oct.13. Relatives live at 30, Hinckley-road.