Stanley Matthews
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Stanley Matthews M M was born in Southport, Lancashire in 1890 to Charles and Rosina (Rose) Mathews. About 1893 they moved to Sheffield and then to 30 Cresswell St, Worksop around 1899/1900.. Within a year of arriving at Worksop, Charles Matthews died at the age of 36, leaving a family of 7 children. Seven years later, the widowed Rose, married for a second time to John Richard Walker, a colliery engine driver and widower. By 1911 the family were living in Potter Street, Worksop with a combined family offspring of 13. Stanley was working as a domestic groom and older brother Percy, as a miner. By the end of the year, Stanley had married Edith Bush of Vicars Walk, Worksop, and a year later had a daughter, Phylis. When war came, Stanley was one of the first to volunteer, followed by his brother, Percy Stanley. At some time Stanley was awarded the Military Medal for bravery.
Lance Corporal Stanley Matthews Retford Times 23 June 1916 It was in the wounding of Stretcher Bearer L Redfern that Corpl Stanley Mathews of the 1st/8th Sherwood Foresters won his Military Medal. He was formerly in the employ of Mr Wm Hill, game dealer of Worksop. When Redfern was wounded, Lance Corporal Mathews, as he was then, went with another Lance Corporal to bring Redfern in from under the fire of the guns. Another wounded man was there, and were both bought, the feat being both hazardous and dangerous. Matthew’s bravery has been recognised, and now he is the happy possessor of the Military Medal. Worksop Guardian 11 Aug 1916 News is anxiously awaited concerning Cpl Stanley Mathews, 1st 8th Sherwood Foresters, of Worksop, one of the fierst amongst our brave lads to answer the call. His wife, Mrs Mathews of Vicars Walk, last heard from him July 3rd, the letter being dated June 28th. He was then alright but on July 1st he was reported wounded. Since that date nothing has been heard of him. The nature of his wounds has not been stated and it is not known where he is. A letter from the authorities, who have been communicated with, state that he was wounded in the field and that further information has not yet been received. His wife will be very glad if any soldier reading these lines can forward any particulars. Cpl Mathews’ brother, Pte Percy Mathews, 10th Sherwood Foresters, has been a prisoner of war since Feb 14th. He has been in France 7 months, and for some weeks, no news was to hand concerning him. Mrs Stanley Mathews own brother, Pte W Brush, is in the 9th Leicesters and has been in France a year. Before joining the army, he was a carter at Shireoaks Colliery. Worksop Guardian 27 April 1917 July last year we had reported that Corpl Stanley Mathews, 8th Sher. For., 29 Vicars Walk, Worksop, who had been awarded the Military Medal, was missing ‘believed killed.’ Since then nothing has been heard despite the many enquiries, set on foot by Mrs Mathews. Yesterday, however, she received through the Red Cross Society, a communication, signed by Lord Lucan, which seems to confirm the belief as to his death. “ I much regret to tell you,” the letter reads, ”that the only news about your husband is very sad and as it is now so long since he was missing, we think it only too likely, that this report is true. It is from Pte Jarvis, 307502, 8th Sher. For.,(now in hospital in France), who states “I knew Corpl. Mathews. We were at Gouncourt. I saw him near the German lines lying dead; he had been killed by a shell. We could not get his body in. Please accept my sincere sympathy in your great troubles.” Mrs Mathews is endeavouring to get into communication with Pte Jarvis in the hope of learning further details. Corpl Mathews was well known in Worksop and was a trusted employee of Mr W Hill, Bridge Place.
Cemetery:- Gommecourt Wood, New Cemetery, Foncquevillers, France. Research by Colin Dannatt
