Sidney Albert MATTHEWS (1898-1917)

Full known military service record:

 

Sidney enlisted on 27 Oct 1915 and was found 'fit for general duty' the same day.

He joined the Army Service Corps on 1 Nov 1915 at Woolwich. His service number was T/38832 - the 'T' showing he was involved with horses.

 

He left Woolwich on 20 Jan 1916 for service overseas. His service record shows he was in Egypt from 21 Jan 1916 to 13 Feb 1916, en route to Mesopotamia from 14 Feb 1916 to 8 Mar 1916 and then serving there from 9 Mar 1916 to 27 Jul 1917.

 

The service records are somewhat confusing in as much as it appears that Sidney went to India. One document states, "This man left his unit in the Field on 15/5/17 and the approximate date of embarkation would be the 28th May 1917. (Leave)" and also "Leave to India from Mesopotamia not to be recorded Under Part II Orders Basra No. 23 / 15.6.17". What was he doing in India?

 

He died from the effects of heat in Basra, Persian Gulf, on 27 Jul 1917.

 

A transcript of the medical report:

 

"The medical report for Sidney Albert Matthews, 1917.

MEDICAL CASE SHEET.

38832 Matthews S.A. age 19

Driver A.S.C., H.T., F Coy.

DISEASE. Effects of Heat. "B".

 

20-7-1917. No.33 EGH. - Admitted 4-20 p.m. 20th. July, 1917. History of having been taken to No. 20 I.G.H. with temperature of 110. There iced and forwarded to No. 33 B.G.H.

 

On admission temp. 99, pulse 140 and weak. Patient unconscious and slightly convulsive and cyanosed. Pupils widely dilated. Ether m.10 given subcutaneously. Blanket on. Skin cool and dry.

 

4-40 p.m. Vomitted stercoraceous looking material containing undigested food.

 

5-00 p.m. Pulse very weak. Ether m.10 given subcutaneously. Motion passed involuntarily. Enema given. Result fairly satisfactory.

 

8-00 p.m. Temp. 102, pulse 136 patient semiconscious. Pupils widely dilated. Restless and semi-convulsive. Hyscine gr. 1/75 given hypodemically.

 

11-00 p.m. 27 ozs of blood drawn off from media basilic vein. Patient quiet after and apparently much more comfortable.

 

25-7-1917 - Taken food badly, much weaker.

 

11-00 p.m. Given by stomach tube 1 pint beef tea, 1 ½ pints milk, Brandy 1 oz and Mist Quinine 3 ozs. Kept down well.

 

27-7-1917 - DIED 1-30 a.m. 27-7-1917.

 

In my opinion death was due to disease contracted whilst on service in the Field.

 

E.M.L. Morgan. Lieutenant R.A.M.C. - Makina Masus. 29th July 1917"

 

Sidney is buried in the Basra War Cemetery, memorial reference IV. A. 11., and is listed on Panel 35.

 

"MATTHEWS, Dvr. Sidney Albert, T/38832. "F" Coy. Army Service Corps. 27th July, 1917 Age 19. Son of Albert and Ellen Mary Matthews, of Tasburgh, Norwich. IV. A. 11." - from CWGC Grave Registration - INDEX No. IRAQ 6. BASRA WAR CEM. Part II. (M-Z).