Albert Edward Matthews (11 November 1896 – 9 December 1997) was an Australian soldier and, at his death, the last living veteran of the Gallipoli landing from the First World War.

Early life

Matthews was born in Leichhardt, an inner city suburb of

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...

, New South Wales, on 11 November 1896. A

carpenter Carpentry is a skilled trade and a craft in which the primary work performed is the cutting, shaping and installation of building materials during the construction of buildings, Shipbuilding, ships, timber bridges, concrete formwork, etc. ...

by trade, he was only 17 years of age when he enlisted to serve as an infantryman in the First World War. He became a signaler in the Australian 1st Infantry Brigade.

First World War

Matthews took part in the first Anzac landing at

Gallipoli The Gallipoli peninsula (; tr, Gelibolu Yarımadası; grc, Χερσόνησος της Καλλίπολης, ) is located in the southern part of East Thrace, the European part of Turkey, with the Aegean Sea to the west and the Dardanelles ...

on 25 April 1915 at what is now known as Anzac Cove. Early in the landing, Matthews was hit in the chest by a

shrapnel Shrapnel may refer to: Military * Shrapnel shell, explosive artillery munitions, generally for anti-personnel use * Shrapnel (fragment), a hard loose material Popular culture * ''Shrapnel'' (Radical Comics) * ''Shrapnel'', a game by Adam ...

shard. A thick pocket-book—a present from his mother—saved his life. After the Gallipoli, Matthews went on to fight on the

Western Front Western Front or West Front may refer to: Military frontiers *Western Front (World War I), a military frontier to the west of Germany *Western Front (World War II), a military frontier to the west of Germany *Western Front (Russian Empire), a majo ...

, where he took part in the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux. On his 22nd birthday, the same day as the cessation of hostilities on 11 November 1918, he was on a ship in the Indian Ocean on his way home on "ANZAC leave".

Death

Matthews died in his sleep on 9 December 1997 at the age of 101. At his death, he was the last living veteran of the Gallipoli landing. Matthews had been inducted to the Australian Living Treasures list in 1997. He made several public statements of the futility of wars. He regarded

Anzac Day , image = Dawn service gnangarra 03.jpg , caption = Anzac Day Dawn Service at Kings Park, Western Australia, 25 April 2009, 94th anniversary. , observedby = Australia Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Cook Islands New ...

as "not for old diggers to remember, it's for survivors to warn the young about the dangers of romanticising war." Matthews was given a

state funeral A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony, observing the strict rules of Etiquette, protocol, held to honour people of national significance. State funerals usually include much pomp and ceremony as well as religious overtones and distinctive ...

in recognition of his war service and his special place in Australian history.

References

External links

Matthews' State Funeral
– Press Release announcing Matthews' State Funeral by then

Premier of NSW The premier of New South Wales is the head of government in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The Government of New South Wales follows the Westminster Parliamentary System, with a Parliament of New South Wales acting as the legislature. ...

, Bob Carr.
Interview with Ted Matthews
Australian Army soldiers People from Sydney Australian carpenters 1896 births 1997 deaths Australian centenarians Men centenarians {{Australia-mil-bio-stub