Lieutenant

Douglas Bernard Mathews

Conflict: 
WW2
Additional Information: 

Son of Charles Dominic Mathews and of Ruth Violet Mathews (nee Thorpe), of Rangiora, Canterbury, New Zealand.

References:
  • CWGC
  • Kay (1958)
  • New Zealand Nominal Rolls (WW2)
  • BDM Online
NZ WAR GRAVES
CONTRIBUTED

Biographical Notes:

“Although these counter-attacks had been so crushingly defeated, the Division had not secured its full objective, and a lodgment short of the rim of Munassib served little purpose. It was decided, therefore, to withdraw after dark. With 26 Battalion 4 Platoon returned to 6 Brigade's sector. The 151st (British) Brigade was brought into the box to take over 5 Brigade's former position on Alam Nayil ridge, and 3 Company, which had gone there early in the day as part of the counter- attack force, came under 151 Brigade's command. Fifth Brigade went farther back to the eastern perimeter of the box, where 10 Platoon rejoined 4 Company next day.

 

About half of the battalion's casualties in this battle had occurred in 3 Company when Lieutenant Mathews and Private Horn had been killed and two or three wounded during a dive-bombing attack by thirty aircraft.” [Kay (1958)]

Public Contributions:

Submitted by: Kate Mathews
Relationship to casualty: Niece
Lieutenant Douglas Bernard Mathews (known as Barney) was born on 20 June 1915 and attended New Plymouth Boys' High School. He was universally praised as a brilliant scholar and highly talented s... Read More

Personal Tributes:

Casualty

Service Number: 
8842
Name:
Douglas Bernard Mathews
Rank: 
Lieutenant
Date of Birth:
20 June 1915
Place of Birth:
Rangiora, Canterbury, New Zealand
Next of Kin: 
Mr C Mathews (father), 228 Devon Street, New Plymouth
Date of Enlistment:
Not known
Locality on Enlistment: 
228 Devon Street, New Plymouth
Place of Enlistment: 
Te Kuiti, New Zealand
Marital Status:
Single
Unit:
New Zealand Infantry, 27 (Machine Gun) Battalion

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:
Date of Death:
04 September 1942
Day of Death:
Friday
Age at Death: 
27
Conflict: 
WW2

Embarkation Details

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery Reference: 
I. D. 20.
Cemetery Location: 
Egypt
Douglas Bernard Mathews
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