Date of birth: 1896
Place of birth: St. Paul’s Parish, Southampton
Service No.: 240392
Rank: Private
Regiment / Division: Hampshire Regiment
Battalion: 2/5th (T.F.) Battalion
Died: 10th April 1918 aged 21 years
Death Location: Egypt
Life before the War
Cecil’s parents were Alfred and Alice. Alfred was born in Torquay, Devon in 1867 and died in 1939 Southampton. Alice was born in 1869 Southampton she died in 1938. Alfred married Alice Bulley on 2nd March 1890, Southampton.
Cecil had 6 sisters, Louisa Alice b.11th April 1892 who married Gilbert Prowting 1918, d.1975. Louisa’s husband died in 1960, he left £7083 0s 11d as his Probate.
Lilian Esther b.1897, Constance Lottie b.1901, Hilda Florence b.1903, Edith Rose B b.1906, Doris Ethel b.1908 d.1912. He also had 5 brothers Alfred Walter b.1893 d.1951, Harold George b.1894 d.26th February 1918 (war casualty), Frank James b.1899 d.1904, Leonard b.1900 d.28th March 1964. Left £812 as recorded in his Probate and Clifford Roy b.1910 d.1991.
The 1901 census shows Alfred had his own business as a Cabinet Maker. They are living at 4, Upper Liverpool Street, St. Mary’s Parish, Southampton.
In the census of 1911, the family had moved to 11, Waverley Road, Freemantle. Alfred still had his Cabinet Making business. Alfred was employed as a Gardener/Nurseyman, Harold worked as an Errand Boy and Cecil was employed by a Printer Company as a Machine Boy.
Brother Harold George’s Naval Memorial
“Matcham, Boots Harold George. H.M.H.S. “Glenart Castle” (Southampton). Drowned, as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine, 26th Feb., 1918. Age 23. Son of Alfred and Alice Matcham, of 11, Waverley Rd., Freemantle, Southampton”
Brother Leonard’s Service Record
Leonard enlisted on 2nd August 1918 in the Dorsetshire Regiment, service number 44376 as a Private. Leonard confirmed his address as 11, Waverley Road, Freemantle, Southampton. His occupation was Engine Mechanic apprentice. He gave his father Alfred as next of kin. He was demobilized on 25th October 1919.
His sister’s National Roll of the Great War (unsure if this is Louisa or Lilian)
“Matcham, L. (Miss), Special War Worker)
During the war this lady was engaged on work of great National importance at the Hayes Munition Factory, where she was employed in filling shells. Later she did good work as a cable tester at Messrs. Perrilles, where her services were highly valued by the firm.
11, Waverley Road, Freemantle, Southampton”
Cecil’s War Service
| Name: | Cecil Arthur Matcham |
| Birth Place: | St. Paul’s, Southampton |
| Death Date: | 10 Apr 1918 |
| Death Location: | Egypt |
| Enlistment Location: | Southampton |
| Rank: | Private |
| Regiment: | Hampshire Regiment |
| Battalion: | 2/5th (T.F.) Battalion |
| Number: | 240392 |
| Type of Casualty: | Killed in action |
| Theatre of War: | Egyptian Theatre |
Cecil is Remembered with Honour on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel and Palestine (including Gaza).
Jerusalem Memorial
The Memorial can be found on panels 28 and 29 and reads:
“Matcham, Pte. Cecil Arthur, 240392. 2nd/5th Bn. Hampshire Regt. 13th Nov., 1917. Age 21. Son of Alfred
and Alice Matcham, of 11, Waverley Rd., Freemantle, Southampton”
Cecil is also remembered on the Southampton Cenotaph and Memorial Wall.
He was entitled to the British Service and Victory Medals.
Researched by Becky Lonergan 2013
