A First War Pair to the Canadian Engineers

 

Footnote: Robert Milbourn Matthews was born on March 1, 1894 in Newark-on-Trent, England, the son of Robert Matthews, a merchant tailor, and Sarah Matthews. The young Matthews later immigrated to Canada, where he settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (216657) with the 100th Infantry Battalion "Winnipeg Grenadiers" in Winnipeg, on March 4, 1916, at the age of 22, naming his next-of-kin as his father, Mr. Robert Matthews of Newark-on-Trent, stating that he was with an active militia, the 100th Winnipeg Grenadiers, that he was not married and that his trade was that of Clerk. He was briefly hospitalized in Winnipeg, from April 14 to 22, 1916, where it was noted he had Epilepsy, which was induced by excitement. Although it could be severe, he was able to make a partial recovery and continue with his military career. He again became ill while training in Canada, admitted to Camp Hughes Hospital in Winnipeg with a case of the Mumps, on June 7, 1916. He spent two weeks in hospital, before being discharged on the 21st. The 100th Infantry Battalion was raised and mobilized in Winnipeg, Manitoba under authority of G.O. 151, December 22, 1915. The Battalion sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia, on September 18, 1916 aboard the S.S. Olympic, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.B. Mitchell with a strength of 31 officers and 880 other ranks, arriving in Liverpool, England on the 25th. In England, he was posted to the 11th Reserve Battalion on January 20, 1917. Private Milbourn proceeded overseas to the 107th Infantry Battalion on March 28, 1917, arriving in France the next day. The battalion later became known as the 107th Pioneer Battalion, Canadian Engineers, with Milbourn becoming a Sapper. He left the Canadian Base Depot on April 1st, arriving with the 107th Infantry Battalion in the field on the 3rd. He was posted for one week's training, to the 2nd Canadian Machine Gun Company, on September 15, 1917, then returned to the 107th. He also spent four days in October 1917 with the Y.M.C.A. Canteens and was awarded one Good Conduct Badge on March 4, 1918. Sapper Milbourn was wounded "slightly" in the foot while on duty on April 13, 1913, but did not seek hospital treatment and remained at his post. However, his condition worsened, with Milbourn being transferred from the 107th Pioneer Battalion to the 2nd Canadian Engineers Battalion on May 30, 1918, so that he could be admitted to No. 7 Canadian General Hospital at Etaples on May 31st for treatment. He was subsequently invalided "sick" from Antwerp to England and was posted to the Canadian Engineer Reinforcement Depot at Seaford, then admitted to Norfolk War Hospital, Thorpe, Norwich on June 3, 1918. It was here that he was diagnosed with "I.C.T." (Inflammation of the Connective Tissue) in his foot. Later on, it was determined that the condition had spread to both feet, with his stay at Norwich lasting eleven weeks, before being transferred to RCH Melton Lodge at Yarmouth on August 20th. Three weeks later, he was transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Woodcote Park, Epsom on September 11, 1918, the doctor noting that his condition was "now better. No complaints except a hammer toe on (his) right foot". It was also noted that he had vision issues and that he needed glasses. After two weeks at Epsom, he was discharged on the 25th. Upon discharge from hospital, he was posted to the 3rd Canadian Convalescent Depot, and after almost two months, he was posted to the Canadian Engineer Reinforcement Depot on December 14th. Sapper Milbourne was placed on command at the Canadian Corps Camp Rhyl for return to Canada, on December 28, 1918. He embarked for Canada aboard the S.S. Olympic on January 11, 1919, arriving in Halifax on the 17th, where he was taken on strength by No. 10 District Depot and posted to the Casualty Company. Sapper Robert Milbourn Matthews was discharged upon demobilization at No. 10 Military District in Winnipeg, on February 18, 1919, credited with having served in Canada and England, along with fifteen months in France and Belgium with the 107th Pioneer Battalion, Canadian Engineers. In his Will, dated August 28, 1916, he left his entire estate to his sister, Mary Trevathick Matthews but of course, the Will was never executed. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.