Oldest Soldier to Die on the Western Front

[phil1963]

I found his chap in Little Chart church (hit by a bomb and nearly destroyed) which is next door to The Granary where H E Bates once lived:

Name: MATCHAM

Initials: W J

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Pioneer

Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers

Unit Text: 330th Road Construction Coy.

Age: 60

Date of Death: 25/02/1917

Service No: 226873

Additional information: Son of Stephen Matcham, of Throwley.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: East boundary.

Cemetery: LITTLE CHART (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD

[ATNOMIS]

Pals

A picture of LT Henry Webber from the Great War Mag

Regards

Simon

[auchonvillerssomme]

Not the oldest or youngest or even fellow countrymen but buried close together in the same cemetery.

Name: DAILEY

Initials: W E

Nationality: Canadian

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment)

Unit Text: 4th Bn.

Age: 16 Date of Death: 07/09/1916

Service No: 455068

Additional information: Son of Mrs. Florence Dailey, of Gananoque, Ontario.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. F. 18.

Cemetery: SUNKEN ROAD CEMETERY, CONTALMAISON

Name: DEEVY, JOHN

Initials: J

Nationality: Australian

Rank: Lance Corporal

Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry, A.I.F.

Unit Text: 48th Bn.

Age: 50 Date of Death: 06/08/1916

Service No: 3037

Additional information: Son of John Deevy. Native of Ireland.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. B. 4.

Cemetery: SUNKEN ROAD CEMETERY, CONTALMAISON