Sydney Mathews was the son of Albert and Emily Mathews, of Watford, Hertfordshire. He enlisted into The Queen’s Royal Regiment, and volunteered for airborne forces. His brother, P/O Albert C Mathews DFC, RAFVR, was killed in action on 11 November 1944.

Staff Sergeant Mathews successfully completed his Glider Pilot training and was posted to F Squadron, 2nd Wing, The Glider Pilot Regiment, and took part in Operation Market Garden (Arnhem).

S/Sgt Mathews was killed in action on 25 September 1944, aged 30, and was given a field burial in a mass grave in Oosterbeek, and was re-interred to Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery on 27 May 1946.

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