Black, Matthew David
Lieutenant Mathew David Black 11th Battalion AIF
Mathew David Black was born in Mansfield Victoria to Thomas & Margaret Black on the 4th July 1888. He went to school in Victoria and after leaving he joined the Defence Forces and became a permanent soldier. He saw service in Sydney but for a few years prior to the war was stationed at the Artillery Barracks in Burt Street Fremantle from at least 1912 to 1914.
Upon the commencement of war he received his discharge from the permanent forces so that he could enlist in the AIF.
On the 10th September 1914 he was given his medical examination by Dr. Brennan and was passed as fit for active service. His examination found him to be 5 feet 11 & ½ inches in height; weight of 150 lbs; chest measurement of 34-36 inches; fair complexion; blue eyes and fair hair. His religious denomination was Church of England.
He was assigned to the 11th Battalion AIF with the rank of Private and the regimental number 3. On the 1st September he was promoted to the rank of Orderly Room Sergeant in the 11th Battalion Headquarters. The Battalion embarked from Fremantle on the 31st October 1914 aboard the H.M.A.T. A11 “Ascanius”.
After the Battalion’s arrival in Egypt they trained at Mena Camp and the surrounding area until they were embarked for Lemnos Island off the coast of Turkey. They trained here in March and April in preparation for making a landing on the Turkish coast. Mathew landed at Anzac Cove on April 25th but on the 15th May was transferred back to Alexandria in Egypt to join the Australian Records Section. He left with them for France in April 1916 and was to remain attached with the Records Section until April 1917.
On the 9th April 1917 he rejoined the 11th Battalion and fought with them for the rest of the year, serving at places like Bullecourt & Ypres. On the 2nd November 1917 he was selected for an Officers Training Course and reported to the Officers Cadet Battalion at Oxford England. For the next 6 months he went through all the Officers Cadet courses in England. On the 11th May 1918 he marched into the 1st Training Battalion as a 2nd Lieutenant and also served at the Musketry school at Tidworth.
On the 11th June 1918 Mathew Black departed for France, though on arrival was admitted to hospital with influenza. On the 26th June 1918 he joined the 11th Battalion in the field as a Lieutenant. The 11th were then still in the line near Merris, however in early August 1918, the Battalion was sent south in preparation for the large offensive which was to being on August 8th 1918. The Australian, Canadians and British were to launch a massive attack on the Germans. The 1st Division did not take part in the initial assault on the 8th August, however, came to replace other units on the 9th August to further the gains already made. The 11th Battalion advanced against German positions near Lihons on the 10th August. The Germans had superb defensive positions and took a very heavy toll of the 11th Battalion. Many men were struck down by the German fire, Mathew Black among them, being reportedly killed instantly by an enemy sniper.
He was initially buried in Ridgeway Cemetery but was later exhumed to Heath Cemetery Harbonnieres in Plot IV.J.6. He lies next to 5 other 11th Battalion officers killed in the attack on Lihons, they being Lt Naylor, Captain Le Nay, Lt Lamerton MC, Lt Gemmell & Lt Sharp