Lionel Matthews

Lionel Colin Matthews GC, MC
Captain Lionel Matthews
Nickname(s)	The Duke
Born	(1912-08-15)15 August 1912 Stepney, South Australia
Died	2 March 1944(1944-03-02) (aged 31) Kuching, Sarawak
Allegiance	Australia
Service / branch	Second Australian Imperial Force
Years of service	1939–1944
Rank	Captain
Battles / wars	World War II Malayan Campaign Battle of Singapore
Awards	George Cross Military Cross

Lionel Colin Matthews, GC, MC (15 August 1912 – 2 March 1944) was an Australian recipient of the George Cross, the highest award for heroism or courage, not in the face of the enemy, that could be awarded to a member of the Australian armed forces at the time. Matthews was born in Adelaide, South Australia and was schooled there before moving to Victoria. He trained as a signalman in the Royal Australian Naval Reserve before joining the Militia in April 1939. Commissioned as an officer in the Australian Corps of Signals, Matthews transferred to the 8th Division of the Second Australian Imperial Force after the outbreak of World War II.

Sent to Singapore with the rest of the division, Matthews served as the brigade signals officer of the 27th Brigade during the Malayan Campaign and the Battle of Singapore, and at the surrender of Singapore he was captured and became a POW. While in captivity he was awarded the Military Cross for displaying a high standard of courage, energy and ability while maintaining communications under fire in the earlier fighting. In July 1942, he was a member of a group of POWs sent to the Sandakan POW camp in British North Borneo. There, Matthews established an intelligence network, collecting information, weapons, medical supplies and radio parts, and made contact with organisations outside the camp, including Filipino guerillas who assisted POWs to escape.

In July 1943, members of his organisation were betrayed, and Matthews and others were arrested, beaten, tortured and starved by their Japanese captors. Matthews refused to provide any information on his organisation or its members to the Kenpeitai, and was executed by firing squad at Kuching, Sarawak, in March 1944. Following the war, he was posthumously awarded the George Cross in recognition of his gallant and distinguished services whilst a POW in Japanese hands.

Early life and career

Lionel Colin Matthews was born in the Adelaide inner north-eastern suburb of Stepney on 15 August 1912, the third child of Edgar Roy Matthews, a plumber, and his wife Ann Elizabeth née Jeffery. He attended East Adelaide Public School and Norwood High School. After graduation, he started work as a salesman in a department store. In his spare time he was assistant scoutmaster at 1st Kensington Sea Scouts from 1931, excelled at swimming, and was a handy amateur boxer. In 1930 he enlisted in the part-time Militia and served with the 10th Battalion. On 26 December 1935 he married (Lorna) Myrtle Lane at St Matthew's Church, Kensington. Lorna was 21 at the time, and working as a packer. In 1937–1938, Lionel was engaged in social work at Pentridge Prison in Melbourne, a role sponsored by the The Boy Scout's Association. Lionel and Lorna had one child, Lionel David. Matthews transferred to the Royal Australian Naval Reserve and trained as a signalman, but after he moved to Melbourne, he enlisted in the Militia in April 1939, and was posted to the 3rd Division Signals.

World War II

After the outbreak of World War II, Matthews was promoted to lieutenant on 18 January 1940. He transferred from the Militia to the Second Australian Imperial Force (Second AIF) at Caulfield, Victoria on 10 June 1940 and was allocated to the 8th Division Signals. He was formally appointed as a lieutenant in the Second AIF on 1 July. Matthews then underwent training, first in Victoria and later in New South Wales, including a course at the Army School of Signals. The 8th Division Signals embarked aboard the RMS Queen Mary for Singapore on 3 February 1941, arriving on 18 February.

Lionel Matthews in January 1941

Malayan Campaign

Matthews wore a clipped moustache, and was nicknamed "The Duke" because of his physical resemblance to Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester. He was posted as the signals officer for the 27th Brigade, which arrived in Malaya in August. The Australians formed part of a defensive garrison that had been established due to growing concerns about war with Japan. Under the command of Brigadier Duncan Maxwell, the brigade moved to Jemaluang, as the 8th Division under Major General Gordon Bennett was tasked with securing the eastern part of Johore. With only two brigades, Bennett pushed the 22nd Brigade forward around Mersing and held the 27th Brigade back as his reserve. The brigade was then committed to the Malayan Campaign following the Japanese invasion of Malaya in December 1941, although the initial stages of the fighting came in the north, away from the Australians' area of responsibility.

As the Japanese quickly advanced down the Malayan peninsula, the Australian force was reorganised. While the 22nd Brigade assumed control of eastern Johore, the 27th moved to the west where it was joined with several British and Indian units to create an ad hoc formation called "Westforce" under Bennett's command. Throughout January 1942, the brigade fought several delaying actions around the west coast of the Malay Peninsula, including the Battle of Gemas and the wider Battle of Muar, as the Allies were pushed back towards Singapore. Following this, the Japanese advance continued and eventually the 27th Brigade withdrew to Simpang Renggam through Yong Peng and Ayer Hitam. As efforts were made to delay the Japanese, the brigade temporarily assumed command of several British units. The brigade carried out delaying actions before withdrawing to Yong Peng, and then fought to maintain control of the cross road around Ayer Hitam. Matthews was promoted to captain on 21 January. On 28 January, further fighting occurred around the Namazie rubber plantation where a strong Japanese attack was repelled, forcing the Japanese to carry out a flanking action that exploited a gap in the line to the west. This nearly rolled through the 27th Brigade, forcing it to withdraw. By the end of January the Allied forces were withdrawn to Singapore and defensive preparations began to repel a Japanese assault across the Johore Strait.

Battle of Singapore

At the conclusion of the Malayan Campaign, the 27th Brigade took part in the defence of Singapore, initially defending the Causeway area. The initial Japanese assault began on the night of 8/9 February, and fell largely on the 22nd Brigade's sector where two Japanese divisions landed during the Battle of Sarimbun Beach. The brigade's troops managed to hold their area, fending off some flanking efforts by the Japanese along the Kranji River, and the 2/29th Battalion was sent south to help bolster the 22nd Brigade. The following night, however, a further Japanese landing fell in the 27th Brigade's area, and heavy fighting took place during the Battle of Kranji. The Japanese suffered heavy casualties from machine guns and mortars from the defenders, as well as burning oil, which had been sluiced across the water. Nevertheless, the attacking troops established a beachhead and the 27th Brigade's headquarters was subsequently cut off from its battalions, as the Allies were pushed back towards the centre of the island. As the Allied perimeter continued shrink around the town, the 8th Division units were brought together around Tanglin Barracks, where they remained until the garrison surrendered on 15 February.

Prisoner-of-war

Matthews was initially interned in the Changi prisoner-of-war camp on Singapore. In May, captured elements of Malaya Command authorised the award of the Military Cross to Matthews for his actions at Gemas and on Singapore. While this was not officially gazetted until after the war, the citation read:

During operations at Gemas this officer succeeded in maintaining cable communications between his Brigade HQ and units under heavy artillery and mortar fire and serial bombardment, displaying a high standard of courage, energy and ability in doing so. Later during the operation on Singapore Island Capt Matthews succeeded in laying a cable over ground strongly patrolled by the enemy and thus restoring communication between his Divisional HQ and the HQ of a Brigade at a critical period.

In July, "B" Force, consisting of nearly 1,500 Australian prisoners-of-war (POW), including Matthews, was sent to the Sandakan POW camp in British North Borneo. Once they arrived, Matthews set up a complex intelligence-gathering network, linked to several key figures including Dr J. P. Taylor, an Australian in charge of the local hospital, as well as Europeans interned on nearby Berhala Island. Matthews and his second-in-command, Lieutenant R. G. Wells, also established links with Asians, some of whom were Chinese, along with members of the British North Borneo Constabulary, which was operating under Japanese supervision. The police passed them information, maps, a revolver, radio parts and medical supplies.

By September 1942, Matthews and Wells had consolidated and expanded their organisation. All intelligence that was gathered was passed to Matthews and organised. He managed to make contact with Filipino resistance fighters operating on the Sulu Archipelago in the southwest Philippines, who assisted Australian POWs to escape. The Japanese transferred the civilian internees from Berhala Island to the Batu Lintang camp near Kuching in Sarawak in January 1943. Matthews had gained the trust of the Governor of North Borneo, who had been interned nearby, and with the departure of the internees, Matthews was placed in effective command of the British North Borneo Constabulary despite being a POW. While he had several opportunities to escape, Matthews decided to remain with his fellow POWs and continue running his covert organisation at great risk to himself. He made plans to rise up against the Japanese if the Allies landed in Borneo, and initiated the building of a radio transmitter.

In July 1943, four Chinese members of Matthews' intelligence network were betrayed to the Japanese. Tortured, they confessed to providing radio parts. The Japanese then arrested Matthews, Wells, Taylor and other members of the organisation. They were beaten, tortured and starved as part of their interrogation, then transported to Kuching. Matthews was sentenced to death, along with two members of the British North Borneo Constabulary and six other Asians. Throughout their confinement, Matthews had encouraged the other suspects, and had refused to divulge any information about their activities. Matthews was executed by a firing squad on 2 March 1944, refusing the offer of a blindfold.

Matthews' award of the Military Cross was gazetted on 8 January 1946. In addition to this award, he was entitled to the 1939–1945 Star, the Pacific Star, the Defence Medal, the War Medal 1939–1945, and the Australia Service Medal 1939–1945. Matthews' body was exhumed and reinterred in the Labuan War Cemetery in the same year. Matthews' older brother Geoffrey also served in the Army during World War II and was made a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order.

George Cross

The George Cross

Following the war, on 25 November 1947 Matthews was posthumously awarded the George Cross for his actions while a POW. The citation read:.

Captain Matthews was as a prisoner of war held by the Japanese in Sandakan, Borneo between August 1942 and March 1944.

During this period although in captivity he directed personally an underground intelligence organization. By sheer determination and organization he arranged through native contacts for the delivery of sorely needed medical supplies, food and money into the camp – factors which not only kept up the morale of courage of the prisoners but which undoubtedly saved the lives of many.

He was instrumental in arranging a radio link with the outside world and was able to send weekly news bulletins to the civil internees on Berhala Island. He was also responsible for arranging for the delivery of fire arms to a secret rendezvous for future use.

Captain Matthews gained the confidence of H.E. the Governor of British North Borneo – himself an internee in that area – and was appointed to Command (although still a PW) the North British Armed Constabulary. At great danger he organized that body in readiness for a rising against the Japanese and also organized a movement amongst the loyal native population in Sandakan for a similar purpose. He gained contact with the Guerrilla Forces in the Philippines and successfully organized escape parties. His ultimate object was to link up with outside forces and to stage eventually a resistance movement and insurrection at the first opportunity.

These activities of Captain Matthews were carried out at the greatest peril to himself at all times. His contact with the natives was on a doubtful basis and he was in constant danger of betrayal and death. He accepted these risks fearlessly and showed the greatest courage and enterprise, although beaten and tortured by the Japanese.

He was in a position where he could have escaped on numerous occasions by means of the help of an organization set up by the Chinese but he declined, electing to remain where his efforts could alleviate the sufferings of his fellow prisoners.

He displayed the greatest gallantry in circumstances of the gravest danger. His leadership conduct, unflagging optimism and impertability were an inspiration to all closely associated with him in the resistance organization and to his fellow prisoners.

After his arrest by the Kempei Tai Capt. Matthews showed courage of the highest order. He steadfastly refused to make admissions under brutal torture, beatings and starvation to implicate or endanger the lives of his associates. His conduct at all times was that of a very brave and courageous gentleman and he worthily upheld the highest traditions of an Australian Officer.

— The London Gazette 25 November 1947

Jubilee 150 Walkway plaque commemorating highly decorated service personnel of World War II

His George Cross was received by his son, Lionel David, from the Governor of South Australia, Lieutenant General Sir Willoughby Norrie, in Adelaide on 4 October 1949. Matthews' George Cross, Military Cross and service medals are displayed in the Hall of Valour at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

References

• "Casualty Details – Lionel Matthews". Labuan War Cemetery. Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
• Cowley, R. E. (2000). "Matthews, Lionel Colin (1912–1944)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: Australian National University. Retrieved 9 May 2019. {{cite web}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• "George Cross: Captain L C Matthews, 8 Division Signals". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
• McKenzie-Smith, Graham (2018). The Unit Guide: The Australian Army 1939–1945, Volume 2. Warriewood, New South Wales: Big Sky Publishing. ISBN 978-1-925675-146. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Morgan, Joseph (2013). "A Burning Legacy: The Broken 8th Division". Sabretache. LIV (3, September). Military Historical Society of Australia: 4–14. ISSN 0048-8933. {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• "NAA: B883, VX24597". National Archives of Australia. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
• "No. 37425". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 January 1946. p. 380.
• "No. 38134". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 November 1947. p. 1.
• Staunton, Anthony (2005). Victoria Cross: Australia's Finest and the Battles They Fought. Prahran, Victoria: Hardie Grant. ISBN 978-1-74273-486-6. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Wigmore, Lionel (1957). The Japanese Thrust. Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 1 – Army. Vol. IV (1st ed.). Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian War Memorial. OCLC 3134219. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)

Further reading

• Matthews, David (2008). The Duke: A Hero's Hero at Sandakan. Captain Lionel Matthews GC, MC. West Lakes, South Australia: Seaview Press. ISBN 978-1-74008-486-4.