Army Service
He enlisted with the Australian Military Forces in Caulfield, Victoria on 10 June 1940, and was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 July 1940. He joined the 8th Division on 12 July 1940, spending the next 7 months in Sydney. He and his unit embarked for Singapore on 2 February 1941, arriving on 18 February 1941. Following the outbreak of hostilities with the Empire of Japan, he was awarded the Military Cross for outstanding conduct during operations in Malaya. The citation read:
During operations at GEMAS this officer succeeded in maintaining cable communications between his Brigade HQ and units under heavy artillery and mortar fire and serial bombardment, displaying a high standard of courage, energy and ability in doing so. Later during the operation on Singapore Island Capt Matthews succeeded in laying a cable over ground strongly patrolled by the enemy and thus restoring communication between his Divisional HQ and the HQ of a Brigade at a critical period.Matthews was subsequently promoted to Captain on 21 January 1942.
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