MATHESON, Thomas Alexander 32869

Thomas (Alex) was born at Kennington in Southland in 1894, the second son of John Matheson and Margaret Matheson (née Alexander), and after leaving school worked in the family woolscouring and fellmongery business. He joined up in 1916 and left New Zealand with the 19^th Reinforcements and fought in Europe with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, seeing action at Messines in June 1917 before being killed in action on 7 August 1917. His uncle James Taylor Alexander (the younger brother of Alex’s mother) was wounded at Messines.

Alex's sister Alice visiting his grave near Messines in Belgium — Alex’s sister Alice visiting his grave near Messines in Belgium

Alex is buried at Bethlehem Farm West cemetery just outside Messines (Mesen) in Belgium.

Sources:

The Matheson saga; a family history of foresight courage and endeavour, by Alice McKenzie.

Photo: Auckland Weekly News 18 October 1917.

Military personnel file, Archives New Zealand.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission.