MATTHEWS Robert Reginald Lieut

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Surname: MATTHEWS;

Forename(s): Robert Reginald;

Initials: RR;

Rank: Lieut;

Previous Number: 75821;

Previous Battalion: 29 of;

Previous Regiment: Can Inf;

MGC Branch: Infantry;

MGC Unit: 14 Coy;

Other Data: disch to Commsn - E Kent Regt
Robert Reginald Matthews
born 22/8/1888 of Irish parents, now domiciled in Canada.
Address: Queens Court, New Westminster
for correspondence: c/o Col Mercer, Belgrove House, Dover.
1905 - 1908 in the 5th RCGO.. Victoria, British Columbia
Joined 31/12/1914
able to ride.

Casualty Form:
13/10/1916 to join BEF France 16/10/1916
18/10/1916 arrived MGC Base Depot, Camiers
2/11/1916 joined 14 Coy in the field
23/3/1917 to MG School
7/4/1917 Admitted hospital - neuesthenia
16/4/1917 transf to England
23/4/1917 to England per Hospital Ship "Brighton"
27/4/1917 LG: to be T/Lt in the field

Medical Board 3/5/1917 4th London General Hospital on 2Lt RR Matthews 14 Coy MGC
age 28, service 2 yrs 6m Neurasthenia
reported sick at Etaples 11/4/1917 - insomnia and nervous irritability - admitted 18/4/1917 - jumps if he hears anything and feels shaky. Requires treatment at Officers Convalescent Hospital, 3 months

Medical Board: Craiglockhart War Hospital, Edinburgh
he is now well - board recommends report to his Training Centre. Fit for service in 1 month

General Court Martial held at Grantham 22/1/1918 - tried on the following charge:
Absenting himself without leave in that he, at Grantham on 8/12/1917 at 8.45 am absented himself without leave from the MG School MG Trg Centre until 3pm on the 19th December 1917.
Pleaded guilty to the charge.
Sentence: to take rank and precedence in his Corps and in the Army as if his appointment as T/Lt bore date the 22/1/1918 and to be severely reprimanded.
Confirmed by GOC in C Northern Command 5/2/1918

14/3/1918 letter, War Office to GOC Northern Command
I am commanded by the Army Council to inform you that the proceedings of the General Court Martial held at Grantham on the 26/2/1918 for trial of T/Lt Robert Reginald Matthews MGC have been laid before HM the King.
The accused was arraigned upon the following charge: "when in arrest, escaping, in that at Grantham on 24/1/1918 when in arrest, escaped."
Court found the accused guilty of the charge by a sentence signed 26/2/1918 and sentenced him to be dismissed the service. HM the King has now been pleased to confirm the findings and sentence and to command that the sentence be carried into effect and I am to request that the necessary action be taken accordingly and that it may be reported to this Department as early as possible on that date the sentence is communicated to the accused.

Letter 2/4/1918 from Matthews late E Kent Regt & MGC,c/o The Carlyle Club, 211 Piccadilly. " Sir, Will you please inform Messrs Cox & Co the date I was dismissed as they will not pay me the balance due to me until they hear from you. Thanking you in anticipation".

Letter 26/5/1918 from Matthews c/o The Carlyle Club, 211 Piccadilly.
To: Director of Personal Services, War Office, London
"Sir, I have the honour to request that you advise me in the case stated below. To begin with, I was sent home from France on 18th April 1917 suffering from shell-shock. Discharged from Craiglockhart War Hospital in September 1917 marked "one month home service". About 12th October the Medical Board at Grantham, at my request marked me A1, fir for General Service. On 18 March 1918 I was dismissed from the service by sentence of GCM, charge "while under arrest, escaping". The points I would like to bring to your notice are: I do not think the Medical Board should have passed me A1. My reason for thinking so is, on trying to enlist in the Canadians, as you see by the enclosed, I was marked B1 showing that I am not fit even now. Sir, I am sure that had I been fit I would not have done such a foolish thing as escape while under arrest. The medical officer at Grantham, Capt Cohen, said he could not help me in giving evidence in my favour at my Court Martial because I was A1 and if he did so it would be going against the decision of my Medical Board. Would it be possible to get the decision of my Court Martial lightened? I feel my position very deeply and as you see, there is an argument in my favour. Will you please consider it Sir and let me know your opinion. I have the honour to be Sir, your obedient servant...........

Letter 4/6/1918 to Matthews:
"With reference to your letter.......I am commanded to say that the representation therein embodied has been carefully considered in conjunction with the proceedings of the GCM recently held for your trial, but the Army Council regret they can discover no grounds for interfering with the findings or sentence of the Court.

Letter to Dep Provost Marshal, London Dist: subject ex-Lt R R Matthews MGC
"the above mentioned officer is now and has been for about twelve months, residing with his wife at 70 Barkham Terrace, Lambeth Rd, SE. His business is that of Furniture Dealer with premises in Lambeth Walk. Capt. DAPM.

17/11/1919 letter from Maj Gen, Dir of Personal Services to Mrs L Matthews, 1528 Camosene St, Victoria, BC "with reference to your letter received in the War Office on the 27th ultimo, I am directed to inform you that as a result of further enquiries instituted it has been ascertained that your son, Mr RR Matthews is residing with his wife at 70 Barkham Terrace, Lambeth Rd, SE. His business is that of Furniture Dealer with premises in Lambeth Walk.
WO339/42126;

END OF RECORD.

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