Robert Matthews | ParaData

Robert Matthews, son of Charles Thomas Sidney and Evelyn Maude Matthews, of Fairwater, Glamorgan. enlisted into the General Service Corps and volunteered for airborne forces in 1945.

Private Matthews undertook parachute training course B173 from 22 July to 9 August 1945 at RAF Ringway. The course report states: ‘Average, apprehensive at start but improved. Pleasant worker.’ He went to the Holding Battalion and was later posted to the 2nd Parachute Battalion.

Pte Matthews died, aged 21 years in Palestine on 25 October 1947 when the lorry he was travelling in collided with another military vehicle, killing fourteen military personnel. He is now buried in Khayat Beach War Cemetery, Israel.

NB Pte Millard, also of course B173, died in the same accident as Pte Matthews.

Date not known
2nd Parachute Battalion (Private)

Operations

Event

Palestine

Arab intransigence over the surge of Jewish immigration that followed the Holocaust in Europe led to the forming of extreme dissident Zionist groups such as IZL (Irgun Zwai Leumi) and the Stern Gang, all seeking to promote their aims through violence.

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Cross of Sacrifice, Khayat Beach Cemetery, 1 January 2015.

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Grave of Pte R Matthews, Khayat Beach Cemetery, 1 January 2015.

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Mourners at the funeral of 2nd Parachute Battalion members, Khayat Beach War Cemetery, 1947.

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Funeral for members of the 2nd Parachute Battalion, who died 25/26 October 1947, Khayat Beach War Cemetery.

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Funeral for members of 2nd Parachute Battalion, who died 25/26 October 1947, Khayat Beach War Cemetery.

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