Frank MATTHEWS

Born 1883 in Virginia, County Cavan, Ireland ^[30]
Contractor in Three Springs, Western Australia in 1916 ^[50]
He and two other locals travelled from Three Springs to Perth to apply to enlist in the A.I.F. in mid August 1916 ^{[10: 18-Aug-1916]}
He was accepted for service in the Australian Imperial Force on 17 August 1916, and officially enlisted the following month ^[30]
Presented with a wristlet watch and tendered a farewell at a function held in Three Springs on Friday 29 September 1916 ^{[10: 6-Oct-1916]}
On enlistment was recorded as 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 140 lbs. with blue eyes, dark brown hair and a fresh complexion ^[30]
As both of his parents were deceased he gave his next of kin as his brother Patrick MATTHEWS of Ballieboro, Cavan, Ireland ^[30]
After initial training he was appointed at Belmont on 1 November 1916 to the 7th Reinforcements of the 5th Pioneer Battalion ^[30]
Embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia for active service abroad on the H.M.A.T. A8 Argyllshire on 9 November 1916 ^[18]
Disembarked in Davenport, England and after further training in Larkhill proceeded from England to France on 5 April 1917 ^[30]
Private 3204 in the Australian Imperial Force's 5th Pioneer Battalion in France during the First World War ^{[30: item 8216855]}
Wounded in Action on 13 May 1917, and after treatment for wounds to his face and chest, rejoined his unit on 30 May 1917 ^[30]
His name appears on the Three Springs Honour Board, which was unveiled on Tuesday 3 June 1919 ^{[9: 6-Jun-1919] [10: 13-Jun-1919]}
Embarked from England on the Barambah on 3 September 1919 and disembarked back in Western Australia on 17 October 1919 ^[30]
Discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 2 December 1919; received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal ^[30]
Labourer in Three Springs 1921-1925 ^[19]

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