Mathew Ellis Findley

Mathew Ellis Findley born c. 1891 to Robert and Mary Findley of Balgownie, enlisted in the First World War on 9 April 1915.

His early life saw him working as a miner and a member of the Druids Society, Glen Lodge.

Mathew joined the 19th Battalion at the rank of private. He embarked on 25 June 1915 aboard HMAT Ceramic in the company of Judy Masters.

According to Judy Masters’ daughter, Mathew was shot on landing at Gallipoli and fell back in the arms of Judy Masters who then dragged him up the beach to safety.

According to an article in the Illawarra Mercury Mathew Findley had been wounded on the 24th ultimo but not seriously. Subsequently, he embarked on 25 June with Judy Masters and when writing home, Judy stated that Findley had been sent on to the Dardanelles as a sniper.

Mathew Findley returned to Australia and was officially discharged from the AIF on 30 July 1919.

His name is spelt as ‘Matthew’ on the Australian War Memorial as well as numerous newspaper articles however, he writes his name as ‘Mathew’ on his enlistment forms which can been seen on the National Australian Archives website.

NB. The image of Mathew Ellis Findley has been shared by Wollongong City Gallery following the War and Remembrance project (October 2003 – January 2004).

The purpose of the project was to acknowledge the contributions of Illawarra residents in various wars, conflicts and peacekeeping missions from the Boer War to the present day.