Tall, well built and physically fit, Louis John Mathias was designed to become a first class soldier.
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He was born at Boorooma station in 1886, on the upper Darling River, being the fifth child of James Mathias, farmer and contractor, and his wife Susannah Denewal (Dinnevold).
As a youth, he witnessed the last of the steam boats on the way to Walgett, delivering stores and fencing wire to the station and loading the wood clip on the return journey.
Whilst his father was a carpenter at Bando Station near Mulaley, he attended the Gunnedah Public School.
Prior to World War I, he worked as a farm labourer and blade shearer around Gunnedah, Tambar Springs, Coolah and nearby localities on the Liverpool Plains.
Louis was an all-round athlete, well known around Quirindi and Trinkey as an amateur boxer, shearer, foot runner, rough rider and all-round athlete.
In 1912, aged 25, Louis married Harriet Fanning at Gungal, near Merriwa. She was the daughter of Philip and Harriet Fanning and at the time of marriage resided in or near the village of Cassilis.
At the beginning of 1916, Louis and Harriet were living in Coolah.
He had given serious thought on several occasions to joining the army. However, he was inspired when he heard the army was to form the 33th Battalion to consist of recruits from the New England and the Liverpool Plains.
“C” Company of the Battalion was to be composed of enlistees from Narrabri, Gunnedah and Quirindi.
This Battalion was initially referred to as “The New England Battalion” with a name change later to the “Northern Battalion”.
This was an opportunity for Louis to enlist with many of his mates so he travelled to Narrabri with James Bolton, a blacksmith of Leadville, and his brother James Mathias of Coolah. All three enlisted there on January 2, 1916.
They became members of “C” Company 33rd, together with four recruits from Coonabarabran and two from Tambar Springs.
By the middle of February, more than 1000 recruits were undergoing initial training at Armidale.
They were then posted to the Army Camp at Rutherford near Maitland.
Louis embarked for England on the HMAT Marathon on May 4, 1916, and then proceeded to France on November 21, 1916, having been promoted to Corporal.
Unfortunately, Louis suffered a gas attack on April 17, 1917, and was unable to return to his units for three months.
He became a sergeant on June 26, 1917, and on April 5, 1919, his promotion to Lieutenant was confirmed, one month before his return to Australia.
‘Gallantry and devotion’
During his three years, five months of army service, he was awarded the following medals:
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM):
“For exceptional courage, initiative, skill and able leadership during the period 22 September, 1917, to 28 February, 1918. He was very successful as an instructor in bayonet fighting and physical training and has never failed to obtain the best from his men.
In action, he proved himself to be a fearless fighter and courageous leader. By his strong personality, his influence for good, and his devotion to duty, he has won the wholehearted support and high esteem of his men.”
Military Medal:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations against enemy positions in the south of the Somme on 8 August, 1918. In the advance through Accroche, Warrant Officer Mathias with four men captured three enemy strong posts, killing three and capturing 16 prisoners. Although cut off from the rest of the company owing to the dense fog,
Warrant Officer Mathias went through fearlessly and with an admirable dash to Long
Valley and rushed a field gun which was firing over open sight.
“He captured the field gun killing two gunners and taking two others prisoners. On reaching the objective, he greatly assisted in reorganising the Company and its consolidation.
By his splendid leadership and initiative, he not only largely contributed to the success of the company, but also had a most inspiring influence on all ranks.”
Bar to Distinguished Conduct Medal:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on Road Wood near Bouchaveshes on August 31, 1918. Warrant Officer Mathias organised a small party to deal with our left flank and to assist with troops on our left, who were held up. He immediately brought heavy reverse fire to bear on the enemy, holding a terrace southeast of Harrier Wood. So accurate and intense was this fire that the enemy surrendered in large numbers; that allowed the English advance to continue.
“The Warrant Officer took a prominent part in the capture of the old quarry south of Bouchaveshes; this position strongly held by the enemy. He rendered great assistance in the reorganisation and establishing of defensive posts. In the second advance, he again distinguished himself by his sound judgement and splendid leadership. Throughout the operation, Mathias displayed great gallantry, determination and initiative. His presence always inspired his Company with the highest confidence.”
Return to Coolah
Upon his discharge on 26 July, 1919, Louis returned to Coolah and took up a soldier-settler block on the nearby Oban Soldiers’ Settlement.
He left the Coolah area in 1925 and went to Sydney to work as a wharf labourer. For some years, he returned to the country for seasonal work, particularly as a shearer.
In his final years, when suffering from arterial disease and hemiplegia, he received a pension. He died at Kensington on 21 June, 1965, aged 79 years; survived by his daughter Eva, born in 1921. Susannah, his wife, predeceased him in 1959.
His three medals are held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Louis’ brother, James (1875-1958) served in 33rd Battalion, C Company, He was invalided home from France on December 22, 1918. Another brother, Rex, fought in France with the 10th Field Artillery Brigade. James Bolton, who also served in C Company, after discharge took up a Soldier Settlement block of 366 acres on “The Folly” at Girragulang near Hannah’s Bridge.
Both the names of Louis and James are on the Tambar Springs War Memorial.
This memorial is said to be the oldest World War I monument in Australia.
It was unveiled in February, 1919. Constructed of Italian marble, it stands on a blue granite base, solidly erected on a four feet reinforced concrete foundation.
The soldier figure stands in a commanding position on a small park in the centre of the village.
The Tambar Springs area is reputed to have had the greatest number of enlistees for World War 1 and World War II in relation to population, of any district in the Commonwealth. The town is on the Black Stump way 40 minutes travelling time north of Coolah.
The names of the three Mathias brothers, Louis, James and Rex, are inscribed on the WWI Soldiers’ Memorial at the former Coolah School of Arts building in Binnia Street, Coolah.