MATHESON, Angus 24/512
Angus was born at Leigh in 1894, the son of Alexander Matheson and Mary Ann Matheson (née Haskell). Alexander was born on board the Spray en route to New Zealand, the son of Angus and Jessie Matheson. Mathesons Bay is named after Alexander and his brother Duncan and their families. Angus’s younger brother Cyrus Haskell Matheson also served and died in WW1.
Angus worked on the family farm before enlisting in May 1915. His war service in the Trentham Infantry Brigade (later the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, known as the Earl of Liverpool’s Own) was brief, as he died at Trentham camp of measles on 29 June 1915. He is buried at Leigh cemetery, and commemorated on the Omaha district roll of honour there.
Some letters from Cyrus and Angus to their family have survived, and give a personal insight to the war that was far removed from the stirring messages of the recruitment posters. See this excellent article on a family history blog.
Particularly tragic is the account of Alexander’s journey to Wellington to be with his ailing son, and his poignant letter to Mary about Angus’s condition.
Sources:
Military personnel file.
Photo of headstone and roll of honour:
Andrew Matheson