Born on 22 December 1894 (or 1895) in Neepawa (or Neeneetawa), Manitoba - son of William J. Mathers, Vancouver, British Columbia - at the time of his enlistment in 1915: trade as McGill student; single; no current or previous military service; Methodist; height of 5 feet 10 inches; chest of 36.5 inches fully expanded; fair complexion; grey eyes; ruddy hair.
Attended Lord Roberts public school and King Edward High School, Vancouver - attended McGill College, British Columbia, in the faculty of Arts from 1914 to 1915 - member of the McGill College Officers' Training Corps during 1914-1915 session - "He was a keen athlete, playing tennis, rugby and basketball, and he took an active part in Y.M.C.A. work."
Joined the 38th Battalion, CEF, in Vancouver, British Columbia, on 5 March 1915 (number 411045) - sailed for England in June 1915 - transferred to Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry on 16 July 1915 - served as a member of No.1 Company, Machine Gun Section, through winter 1915 and spring 1916 - declared missing, presumed dead, on 4 June 1916 - "...he was reported missing, being last seen in action with the guns near St. Eloi." - name inscribed on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial (panel 10), Belgium.
(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, "Debt of Honour" register, www.cwgc.org; Anonymous, Record of Service 1914-1918: University of British Columbia, McGill British Columbia, Vancouver College (Vancouver: Lionel Ward & Company, Ltd., 1924), p.85)
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