Studio portrait of Major Leslie William Matthews, 22nd Battalion, of Ballarat, Victoria. ...

Studio portrait of Major Leslie William Matthews, 22nd Battalion, of Ballarat, Victoria. Initially a student teacher, Leslie Matthews was studying civil engineering in Ballarat at the outbreak of the First World War. Having over eight years service as a captain in the Citizen Military Forces (CMF), he accepted a commission in the AIF on 24 March 1915 and embarked with the 23nd Battalion from Melbourne aboard HMAT Euripides on 10 May. He was appointed major on the 26 August 1915, transferred to the 22nd Battalion, and proceeded to Gallipoli, arriving several weeks after the death of his younger brother, 1020 Second Lieutenant John Matthews in the attack on Hill 971. In June 1918, Major Matthews was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), his recommendation stating: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer commanded his battalion in an attack, previous to which he had reconnoitred the jumping-off ground, and thought out all the arrangements and dispositions. During the attack he moved about under heavy fire, keeping in touch with the situation, directing and controlling the men, and by prompt action in altering dispositions minimised the losses from shell fire". Following the war, he settled in Tullibigeal, NSW as a grazier. As N60091 Major Leslie William Matthews DSO he served with Eastern Command Recruiting Staff during the Second World War as a recruiting officer in Cootamundra and Parramatta. See also P10726.001

• Group portrait of officers of the 23rd Battalion aboard HMAT Euripides en route to Egypt. Front ...