Bill Mathieson was the eldest son of John and Elizabeth Mathieson of Knapdale in Southland, and cousin of twin brothers Alexander Victor Mathieson (58005) and William Alfred Mathieson (63365). Bill was born in 1892, and after leaving school worked on the family farm and as a shearer in eastern Southland.
He enlisted in March 1917, was assigned to the Auckland Infantry Regiment and left New Zealand as part of the 31st Reinforcements in November 1917. He reached the Western Front in April 1918. Bill received a gunshot wound to the face at the end of September 1918 and repatriated to England. He recovered fully and left for New Zealand in March 1919.
He then continued on the family farm with his father John and brother John, and helped his brother-in-law George McLeod on the chaff cutter and threshing mill. After the family farm was sold in about 1938, “quiet, kindly Bill” lived in a cottage on the property (Knapdale Station) until his death in 1955 at the age of 63. He never married.
Source: South Ardoyne to Southland; history of John and Isabella Mathieson and descendants.