MATTHEWS, PTE. BRUCE HERBERT Reg. # 654354
There was a Bruce Mathews, orphan living in Chapman Twp in 1911 born August of 1896, age 14.
In his Attestation papers, Herbert identified that he was born August 5, 1897 in Kirkton, Ontario, the son of Herbert Mathews (although Herbert did not know where his father lived). Kirkton is north of London, Ontario.
He identified that he lived in Waterford, Ontario.
In his Attestation papers, identified that he was a farmer.
He signed up June 29, 1916 in Exeter.
In his papers, Herbert Bruce Matthews identified that his pay should be assigned to Mrs. Margaret Cameron, RR#1, Kirkton.
Bruce arrived in England on November 11, 1916 and was transferred to the 58th Battalion.
He landed in France om November 29, 1916.
He was killed in action on August 31, 1917.
The 58th Battalion, CEF was an infantry battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the Great War. The 58th Battalion, which was authorized on 20 April 1915 and embarked for Great Britain on 22 November 1915. It disembarked in France on 22 February 1916, where it fought as part of the 9th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The battalion was disbanded on 15 September 1920. (from Wikipedia, 58th Battalion)
Page 292 of the Book of Remembrance - Displayed in Ottawa on June 27
MATTHEWS, Private Bruce Herbert - 58th Bn. (654354)
Born on August 15, 1897 in Waterford Ontario to Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Matthews. His address on enlistment was RR #1 Kirkton where he was working as a farm hand. He enlisted on January 29, 1916 at Exeter Ontario at the age of 19 with the 161st Huron Battalion that was mobilized at London Ontario. The battalion sailed from Halifax on November 1, 1916 on the SS Lapland and arrived in England on November 11, 1916. The battalion was posted to Witley Camp and he subsequently was reassigned to the 58th Battalion. He was killed in action on August 31, 1917 at the age of 20. He is buried at Aix-Noulette Communal Cemetery in France. The grave reference is I. O. 7. Description contributed by Carolyn Duckworth in Goderich, Ontario.
