Family Histories

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MATHIESON John "Jack"

John was known as Jack, and his family name was sometimes spelt
‘Matheson’. He was born on 12 August 1891 at Gartly near the town of Huntly in Scotland. He enlisted on 21 October 1916 aged 24 years and 2 months, Gnowangerup was noted on his enlistment forms. Jack had already served an apprenticeship as a gardener, presumably in Britain, and gave his occupation as a farm labourer and gardener on his enlistment papers. Jack was working for Mr. E. Corbett for 2 pounds per week. He had also served 2 years in military service with the ‘Territorials’.
MATHIESON John "Jack"of Kintore, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Jack and his brother William owned land together at Wagin and were working to gain enough money to develop the property. Jack underwent a medical examination at Gnowangerup by Dr Pope – he weighed 140 pounds, was 5 foot six and a half inches tall and had a dark complexion, dark hair, and blue eyes.

He departed from Fremantle aboard the Surada on 17 February 1915.
Jack served at Gallipoli, and reported ‘sick’ to hospital on 30 September 1915, but returned to duty on 12 October
 He ‘Marched out to Serapheum ex Heliopolis on 26 February 1916. On 19 April 1917 he was reported Missing in Action, but later that day was recorded as having being admitted to hospital wounded on April 24– a ‘gun shot wound to the buttock’.
 He was discharged to Moascar on 17 May 1917, transferred to the 10th Light Horse at Abassan on 17 May 1917.


                  THE FUNERAL OF JOHN  "Jack" MATHIESON, EGYPT             #1
 

On 18 October 1917 he was ‘to be Temporary Lance Corporal and later ‘Temporary
Sergeant’.
Jack signed a will on 15 January 1918 leaving all his assets to his father
He had a break from the fighting and attended a Cadet Unit A.F.C. in England and undertook a Musketry Course at a School of Instruction.
Jack became a Second Class Instructor on 26 June 1918, returning to his Regiment ready for duty on 13 August 1918. He was promoted to Sergeant.
On 12 February 1919 he completed his demobilisation forms, requesting an early return to Australia as he wanted to “take up land and marry”.
 

The land referred to was at “Wagin” and he noted that he would “require Government assistance to take up land”.
Just over a month later, Jack died. He was reportedly ‘shot in the chest during an Egyptian revolt’.
He was wounded on 13 March and died on 22 March 1919 near Sheibet el Nakkaria.
Jack was buried at the Zag a Zig International Cemetery which is about 40 miles North East of Cairo by G.L. Riley, C.F. (att. 10th LH) but his family was later notified that his body was to be exhumed and he would be reburied at Tel El Kebir Military Cemetery in Egypt, Grave Number 72.
Several reports say he was the last soldier KIA overseas, shot in the back whilst he waited with his unit to embark for the return trip to Australia.
Following rumours of his wounding and unsure of the outcome, the father of his fiancé, Mr Charles Hargreave wrote following his wounding asking for details. The address was given as “Hillcrest” Glen Forrest, Near Perth.
His name is commemorated at the Australian War Memorial Panel Number 8. Jack’s father received a Memorial Plaque and Memorial Scroll.
His brother William was also killed.

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.

 

References:                 Article:        Research by Merilyn Stewart

                                  Image:      1         The Army Museun, Fremantle

 

Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2024