Lance Corporal Christopher Matthews
| Date of Birth | 04 February 1895 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 22 |
| Date of Death | 13 November 1917 |
| Service Number | 10390 |
| Military Service | 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers |
| Merton Address | 6a Seaton Road, Mitcham |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
Christopher Matthews was born on 13 April 1897 in Earlsfield, Wandsworth and was baptised shortly after on 3 March at St. Andrews Church. His family were from the Romany Gypsy Community and were living in caravans on a site in Wardley Street, Earlsfield. This area had been the home of the gypsy community for several years, due to the proximity of the River Wandle. Censuses showed that they worked here as flower-sellers, hawkers, dealers, general labourers, woodchoppers, cutlery grinders, boot repairers, horse handlers, sawdust dealers and musicians.
Frederick Snr was a Hawker, and his wife Cinny or Cinderella was a Flower Seller. The 1901 census records the address as Penfold’s Yard, Wardley Street. Their children were John 15, Henry 12, Geranium 8, Frederick 4, and William 2. Christopher was aged 6 at the time. Some of the elder children had been born in Mitcham. In 1901 Christopher was enrolled at the Garratt Lane Infant School.
The family moved around a lot, but are recorded as living at Seaton Road, Mitcham on the 1911 census. Additions to the family were Emily 9, Walter 5, Charlie 3 born Kent, and Teddy 8 months born Orpington. Unfortunately, four of the couple's thirteen children had died young. Christopher, now 17, had started working as a farm labourer.
Christopher joined the 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. The 11th (Service) Battalion came under the command of the 54th Brigade and landed at Boulogne in July 1915. During 1916, the battalion would have been involved in the Battle of the Somme, Battle of Albert, and Thiepval Ridge amongst others. In 1918, they moved to Flanders and fought at Pilckelm Ridge, and the Battles of Passchendaele (31 July – 6 November 1917).
Christopher was killed on 13 November 1917, aged 22. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium and locally on the Mitcham War Memorial.
His mother received his last pay of £8.3.11 plus the War Gratuity of £14.00. Christopher’s brother Frederick was also killed during the war, and his story is included on the Carved in Stone Website.