MATTHEWS, Bruce Herbert

DIVISIONAL UNIT:         3rd Canadian Infantry Division
                                             9th Infantry Brigade
                                             58th Battalion - Central Ontario
                                             Canadian Infantry Brigade
SERVICE NO:                   654354
RESIDENCE:                    Kirkton – Ontario 
DATE OF BIRTH:            August 15, 1897
                                             Waterford - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           August 31, 1917                   20 years
CEMETERY:                     Aix-Noulette Communal Cemetery Extension – Aix-Noulette –
                                             Pas de Calais – France
                                             I     O     7
PARENT:                           Herbert Matthews – Waterford – Ontario
Occupation:                        Farmer                                  Religion:     Methodist
Enlistment:                         Exeter – January 29, 1916 – 161st Huron Battalion
Enlistment Age:                 18 years     5 months

The 161st left Canada bound for England on November 1, 1916 and arrived on November 11, 1916.
On November 27th, he transferred to the 58th Battalion, went into France on November 29th and joined the 58th
      Battalion on December 22, 1916.
The 58th was involved in a minor operation on the 30th, and it involved a small crest about 200 yards up Nun’s Alley. They wanted to secure it and deprive the enemy of this wee bit of high ground. They were ordered to consolidate this crest and then establish a post there. They achieved the objective and once consolidated, they laid wire at selected points. The enemy tried several times to counter-attack, and when he did so was delayed by the wire, and since his position was known and the precision of the rifle grenade fire from the 58th, inflicting heavy enemy casualties and stopped his advance. The Battalion now had a good view of Cinnibar and a good field of fire.
The enemy then heavily bombarded the whole Divisional front from 2 pm until 4:45 pm
On August 31st, 1917, Private Matthews was killed in action whilst serving in the trenches near Nun’s Alley which was located north of Lens in France. He was struck in the back by a piece of shrapnel from an enemy shell. The enemy artillery was very active all day with heavy fire coming down on the Battalion front line and reserve line.