Karl Matson

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sat, 26/08/2017 - 10:27

First Name:

Karl

Last Name:

Matson

Date Enlisted:

Saturday, May 1, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

19th Battalion

Company:

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Details:

Karl Matson (Service No 723), claimed he was single, 26 years old, worked as a pattern maker and was born in Kiama, N.S.W., around 1889. He named his mother Mary, in Sweden, as his next of kin.

Karl embarked on HMAT A40 Ceramic, with the 19th Battalion, B Company, on 25th June 1915. After disembarking in Egypt, he was sent to Gallipoli, Turkey, on 16th August 1915. Karl was wounded in action on 23rd August 1915 and evacuated to hospital for treatment of a gun shot wound to his right hand. According to his file, he was returned to Gallipoli on 8th December 1915, after sickness and accidental injury while being returned to the front.

After the evacuation he spent time in Egypt before arriving in France in August 1916. Karl joined his unit on 6th November 1916 and was wounded in action on 14th November 1916. He was evacuated to hospital for treatment of shrapnel wounds to his left buttock. Karl returned to his unit in Belgium on 13th November 1917.

On 11th April 1917, Karl married Dorothy Whalley, in London, England. While in Egypt and England his time was spent either in custody or absent without leave. Karl was returned to Australia in April 1918 and discharged on 1st June 1918.

A letter on file from his wife in England, is asking the army for his location. Dorothy divorced him in 1926.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, MATSON KARL