Jul 15, 1896

Born in Martintown, Ontario to John and Christy Ann (nee McNaughton) Matheson

Jun 7, 1916

Attested into the Military District #3, Queen’s University Field Ambulance in Kingston, Ontario

Ø      Number 535987

Ø      Next of kin given as Reverend J. Matheson, father, Dalhousie Mills, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Student

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Presbyterian

Oct 8, 1916

Transferred to the 154^th Battalion in Cornwall, Ontario.  On being TOS (Taken On Strength) he was appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal

Oct 25, 1916

Embarked the Troopship Mauretania in Halifax, Nova Scotia

On this same date, he was appointed to the rank of Acting Corporal

Oct 31, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott

Jan 31, 1917

The battalion was absorbed into the newly formed 6^th Reserve battalion in East Sandling

Aug 29, 1917

In order to proceed to a fighting battalion in France he voluntarily reverted to the rank of Private

Sep 2, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion and arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 83 reinforcements from England.  On arrival he was TOS the 21^st Battalion

Sep 14, 1917

Left the No. 2 CIBD to join the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp)

Sep 16, 1917

Arrived at the CC Rein C in Villers Au Bois

Sep 20, 1917

Attached to the 2^nd Entrenching Battalion in Hersin for duty and appointed to the rank of Acting Corporal with pay

Oct 1, 1917

Joined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Villers Au Bois and assigned to “A” Company

Nov 3, 1917

During the 21^st Battalion’s action at Passchendaele, he was reported missing overnight of November 3-4.

Nov 5, 1917

Private Matheson was found wounded on the battlefield and admitted to the No. 3 Australian CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) with shrapnel wounds to his left leg

Nov 7, 1917

Transferred via the No. 14 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 9 Lakeside USA, General Hospital in Rouen

Nov 9, 1917

Transferred to the No. 2 Convalescent Depot, Rouen, for rehabilitation

Nov 15, 1917

Transferred to the No. 11 Convalescent Depot, Buchy, to continue his recuperation

Nov 29, 1917

Discharged to the base depot from the No. 11 Convalescent Depot

Dec 1, 1917

Joined the No. 2 CIBD in Etaples

Dec 10, 1917

Left the CIBD and joined the CC Rein C in Villers Au Bois

Dec 14, 1917

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the front lines in the Acheville Section of France

Jan 31, 1918

He was sent to the CC Rein C in Villers Au Bois to receive dental treatment, and returned to the battalion the same day

Apr 16, 1918

During an artillery barrage on the high ground at Mercatel, Private Matheson was killed in action, and buried the following day in the Bellacourt Cemetery

Following the war the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to his brother, Reverand A.D. Matheson, 2460 Rosemount Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec.

The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. J. Matheson, Box 1114, Cornwall, Ontario