Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918

Murray J A         Sgt    682    James Alexander                21 Inf Bn    24    Blacksmith    Single    C of E        

Address:    Ascot Vale, South St, 107    

Next of Kin:    Murray, William, 107 South St, Ascot Vale    

Enlisted:    2 Feb 1915        

Embarked:     A38 Ulysses 10 May 1915    

Relatives on Active Service:

Mathew-G-A-B-2nd-Air-Mechanic-3322 brother

Matthew-J-E-A-Pte-30 brother

James Alexander Matthew had been serving in the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery in NSW, and deserted from this unit in order to enlist in the AIF.  He did this under the name of James Alexander Murray.  He embarked with the rank of Sergeant, but reverted to the ranks on his own request.  He served at Gallipoli.  He transferred to the 11th Field Ambulance Corps.  On 20 July 1917 he signed a confession to the effect that he had enlisted fraudulenty, after having deserted from the RAGA, and requested that he be allowed to join his original unit.  This was allowed, and as J A Matthew was transferred to the 27th Heavy Artillery Group.

War Service Commemorated

Essendon Town Hall L-R   (Matthew J A)

Ascot Vale State School   (Matthews J)

Essendon Gazette Roll of Honour With the Colours

Regimental Register