Royal Navy
Petty Officer Rupert William Matthews | War Casualty Details 402753 | CWGC
Gravemarker St.Mary’s Church, Felpham
The Baptism of Rupert William Matthews took place in the Parish of Milton in the County of Southampton on October 4th 1885. His parents were Thomas, a Coastguard, and Caroline Ellen. (Last but one entry)
1891 census
In 1891 the Matthews family lived in Chidham. The Head of the family was Thomas, 44, an Agricultural Labourer, daughter Emmeline F., 13, a Scholar, Rupert W., 6, and Earnest S., 1. Rupert was born in Barton Cliff, Hampshire. Thomas is shown as being married but there is no entry for his wife.
By 1901, Rupert had joined the Royal Navy and was on board H.M.S. “St. Vincent” a First Class Training ship based at Portsmouth under the Captain Commander Cecil F. Thursby. Rupert William Matthews is shown at the top of the list.
On the 1911 census Rupert William Matthews is described as a Visitor, age 26, Single, an Able Seaman in the Royal Navy, born Hants, Bournemouth
The Handyman Restaurant, Unicorn Road & Stoke Street, Landport, Portsmouth
Marriage 1912
At the Parish church of St. Mary Felpham in the County of Sussex, March 6th 1912 Rupert William Matthews, 27, Bachelor, Seaman R.N., of Outram House, Father Thomas Matthews, Pensioner R.N.and Florence Sarah Taylor, 22, Spinster, of Outram House, Father Hiram Taylor, Pensioner R.N. Witnesses Hiram Taylor, Fanny Williams, Frederick Thomas Drake.
Joined the Royal Navy on 13th June 1900 aged 18 for a period of 12 years
Royal Navy Service Record 2/2
DD (Discharged dead) 30th May 1915, Internal ulcer.
Burials in the Parish of St, Mary, Felpham
Rupert William Matthews R.N., Portsmouth & Felpham
June 3rd 1915 Age 30 (1st entry)
Index to St. Mary’s churchyard
MATTHEWS, P.O. Rupert William, 210094. R.N. H.M.S. “Victory I”.
30th May 1915 Age 30. Son of Thomas and the late Caroline Matthews; husband of Mrs. F. Matthews, of 733, Hamilton St., Vancouver, British Columbia. In South-East corner (Entry in right-hand column, 4th item)
Imperial War Graves Commission
Headstone personal inscriptions
1212/1B THEY WILL BE DONE
(Mrs F.S. Matthews, 733, Hamilton Street, Vancouver, B.C,)
1212/1/N/8 RUPERT WILLIAM MATTHEWS PETTY OFFICER RN. 210094
H.M.S “VICTORY” 30TH MAY 1915 AGE 30 CROSS (NONE) GRAVE E.E 84 7/R.1.1
Graves Registration Report Form
R.N. H.M.S. “Victory” 210094 MATTHEWS P-O R.W.
N.M. 30-5-15 Row Gr 7 Ancient Churchyard
MATTHEWS Rupert William P.O. 210094 R.N. H.M.S. “Victory” 10.2.85 Barton Cliff Hants 30.5.15 Felpham Cemetery, near Bognor, Sussex. Old Part of Churchyard. Wife, Florence S. Mack. 733, Hamilton St., Vancouver, British Columbia (5th entry)
Rupert William’s widow Florence married Frederick Mack in the Westhampnett District in the March quarter of 1919.
Royal Marines Registry of Baptisms
Birth date 3rd January 1916, Baptismal date 23rd January 1916
R.M.A. Church Eastney, William Jack, parents Rupert William and Florence Sarah Matthews,
Rank of the Father, P.O.1, H.M.S. “Barham” (deceased) (5th entry)
Royal British Legion
Every One Remembered – Soldier Profile Rupert William Matthews