In Memory of
Captain
J B Matthews 7th Bn., Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) who died on 14 February 1917
Remembered with Honour Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt
John Brice Matthews Captain MGS Career John Brice Matthews joined Maidstone Grammar School on the 15th September 1908 aged 11.He was still at school when the war broke out and he gained the Mathematics prize in the sixth form in 1914. John Matthews was also a keen sportsman, representing the school in cricket and hockey in 1913-1914.
Background John B Matthews was born on the 18th July 1897, the only son to Mr JH Matthews, a schoolmaster in Harrietsham, and Kate Matthews.
Military Record John Brice Matthews had always been a keen and efficient cadet, and was in possession of Certificate A, which he gained in 1914. When he obtained his commission he was only 17 years of age, but his 6-ft of height stood him in good stead. He was promoted Lieutenant in his battalion, the 7th Royal West Kent Regiment, and in September 1916 received his Captaincy at the unusually early age of 19. In May 1916 he was sent home suffering from severe shell-shock, returning to the front in January 1917. He was killed in action on the 14th February 1917 in France.
Obituary The July 1917 Maidstonian stated: “We hear with deep regret of the death of yet another of our old boys, Captain Matthews, who was killed in action in France on the 14th February 1917. A memorial service was held for him in Harrietsham Church on Sunday 17th March”. A brother officer wrote of him: “Every officer and man in the battalion will feel his loss very greatly indeed, and all the more so from the fact that it has occurred so soon after his re-joining. He is yet another of the original battalion to fall doing his duty and no man ever did it better or more cheerfully.” There were a series of letters from his father to the War Office regarding queries over the money owing and the effects of his son. A letter from the Controller of the Post Office Savings Bank in West Kensington, which held his account into which regular payments had been made from his Army pay, reckoned that the amount ! from Army Funds to his estate would exceed £100. 33 due