Frederick George Matthews

Born in Thetford to William and Lilian, Fred's father was William George Matthews and was killed as a POW in Mesopotamia in 1917.

 

Fred was in the Royal Observer Corps following the loss of his hand. His son, Graham, is unsure where he worked, but he was unable to continue with that work for obvious reasons.

 

Graham also confirmed that the photograph we have of him is labeled incorrectly. He is the Corporal in that photograph (Second from left, front row) which fits with the rolls as he isnt listed as a Sgt in the 1942 roll. That should mean that if the photo is of Eaton Patrol then the Sgt in the Photograph is Jack Page. It also means that Bertie Claxton was in Eaton Patrol before moving to Earlham Patrol. I do find it odd though that if the Trophy is marked as being awarded to Sprowston Patrol that Eaton Patrol are posing with it!

 

 

He was a sergeant and Patrol Leader of Eaton Patrol during the war.  He was also instrumental - after the war ended - in having a memorial to Major Nigel Oxenden ("Oxo") erected in Jersey, and I have a  letter to my dad from Major Oxenden's widow.

 

He was invalided out of service after participating in grenade practice; a grenade with a faulty fuse exploded pretty much after he pulled the pin, and as a consequence, it took off his right hand (he was right-handed up until then), and he had shrapnel damage to his right eye.

 

Since he could not return to his original occupation, he worked for the Royal Observer Corps, looking after their building in Norwich.  He was also a member of the Corps until it was eventually disbanded.

 

I recall that he used to be very angry that the staff at the ROC in Norwich would rag him about his stories of the war, insinuating that it was all fantasy on his part.

Although the story of Fred Matthews seems to indicate he left Auxiliary Units this is not recorded and he is recorded as the Patrol Sergeant when Major Hancock complied his list around stand down.