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Trooper 1663 Christopher William Matthews
Berkshire Yeomanry
Local Information:
Trooper Matthews was the son of William Henry and Susannah Matthews, of Church Street, Pewsey, Marlborough, Wiltshire. He was killed in action on Saturday, 21st August 1915, age 21. His local connections to Hungerford are not at this point clear. He went to Egypt on the 21st April 1915 and later went to Gallipoli where he took part in that campaign. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial to the missing, Turkey.
Photo Gallery:
The cap badge of the Berkshire Yeomanry
A print showing the charge of the Berkshire Yeomanry at Gallipoli. It was produced by the famous military artist Richard C. Woodville who had a personal interest in the regiment as he joined the Royal Berkshire Yeomanry Cavalry in 1879, staying with them until 1914 when he joined the National Reserve as a Captain.
This image shows the ground covered by the yeomanry during the attack on the 21st Aug 1915. Sgt Horne would have been killed somewhere on the left.
- The cap badge of the Berkshire Yeomanry.
- A print showing the charge of the Berkshire Yeomanry at Gallipoli. It was produced by the famous military artist Richard C. Woodville who had a personal interest in the regiment as he joined the Royal Berkshire Yeomanry Cavalry in 1879, staying with them until 1914 when he joined the National Reserve as a Captain.
- This image shows the ground covered by the yeomanry during the attack on the 21st August 1915. Sgt Horne would have been killed somewhere on the left.
Regimental Information:
17.8.1915:
Arrived Sulva Bay, Gallipoli, landed at 'A' beach east and bivouacked in Sulva Camp.
20.8.1915:
Marched to Lala Baba and bivouacked on the shore, went up the hill.
21.8.1915:
3.00pm. Brigade took part in a general attack against the enemy entrenched on Hill 70. The Brigade advanced across the open leaving the salt lake on the left flank.
4.45 pm – Brigade formed up on Hill 53
5.00pm – Brigade order to attack Hill 70
5.15pm – Berkshire Yeomanry started the attack. Heavy casualties were caused in all Regiments owing to the skillful way in which the enemy's trenches had been sited. It was impossible to see them. The Berks, with portions of the Bucks and Dorset's charged and captured the enemy's front trench. The position captured formed the apex of a triangle and owing to enfiladed fire the Brigade were unable to hold it. All the Brigade Officers and 70% of Regimental Officers had become casualties.
Berkshire Casualties 9 Officers and 312 men (Returned after action 3 Officers and 178 men)
Point of Interest:
He was killed in action on the same day as Sergeant 1176 William John H. Horne another Hungerford soldier listed on the memorial.
The Canal Wharf, 2011