victor matcham- Registered: 5 Oct 2021
- Posts: 1,170
#1
This story is in print and came from the archives of both wars.Its the life story of my Grandfather who served in both wars.
Henry Richard Matcham was born at Ringwould kent on the 5th of July 1890.He worked as a farm/labourer/gardener as a young man.In 1908 he joined the royal Navy as a boy seaman where he signed up for twelve years, he progressed through the ranks to Able Seaman serving in many well-ships, including HMS,s Magnificent, Dominion,Caesar, Formidable ,Queen,and Dido.As well as several shore bases.
On the 7th of May 1913,he was posted to HMS Hermes and shortly after this on the 17th May was selected for a course of instruction in flying at the central flying School.
On the 7th of may 1913, he transferred to the Royal Naval Air Service, still serving in HMS Hermes which was a "Highflyer class"cruiser converted to an experimental seaplane carrier,this posting lasted until December 1913.On the 1st July 1914 he was promoted to the rank of air Mechanic . More to come.
The Gov likes this
victor matcham- Registered: 5 Oct 2021
- Posts: 1,170
#2
During this period, Henry was flying in a plane that had to make a forced landing on the cliffs at St Margarets and subsequently caught fire. He and the pilot walked in pouring rain to the Cliffe Hotel in the village where they reported the incident and were well cared for.
The Gov likes this
victor matcham- Registered: 5 Oct 2021
- Posts: 1,170
#3
Henry returned a few days to see later to see the pretty waitress,Charlotte Goldsack who he had met working at the hotel and to whom he fell in love with.
They were married on December 26th 1914 at St Margaret,s Parish Church by special licence.
They had three children ,Richard(my dad)Vera and Ronald. Henry and Charlotte made their home at no4 Wellesley Terrace ,Kingsdown Road St Margarets. more to come
The Gov likes this
victor matcham- Registered: 5 Oct 2021
- Posts: 1,170
#4
As WW1 ,,progressed Henry was involved in land operations, in the book "Fights and Flight" by Air Commodore Charles Sampson ,Henry is mentioned as bring part of a small party of eight men carrying out raids in the Third Battle of Cassel on the 4th September 1914 .Commander Sampson had armed his personal car with a Maxim gun and ambushed a German car near Cassel and Henry Matcham was with him.These armoured cars were eventually developed into the Royal Naval Armoured Car Division(RNACD) of the Royal Navy.
WW1.The records also show that Henry rose through the ranks from air mechanic to leading air mechanic to Chief Petty Officer.
alexiatrade and The Gov like this
victor matcham- Registered: 5 Oct 2021
- Posts: 1,170
#5
In 1917 he was posted to RNAS Killingholm ,Lincolnshire which was the major seaplane base in the country during WW1.In early 1918 he served at HMS Daedalus (Dover)for a short period and then France .
He was transferred to the Royal Air Force in March 1918.
alexiatrade and The Gov like this
victor matcham- Registered: 5 Oct 2021
- Posts: 1,170
#6
The Royal Air Force came into existence on the 1st April 1918 when the Royal Naval Air Service merged with the then Royal Flying Corps.The personnel of both services then came under the control of the RAF and Henry was one of them.This amalgamation continued until 1924 when the Fleet air arm of the RAF was formed.
The Gov likes this
victor matcham- Registered: 5 Oct 2021
- Posts: 1,170
#7
It was not until 1939 that the Admiralty took back control of the fleet Air Arm.
Henrys records do not show when he was actually discharged from service however some notes found on a service book dated 1923 suggest that he was still in the RAF until at least this date.
Part two of this story taking in the time of WW2 will come later today. thank you
The Gov, Matey and Reginald Barrington like this
victor matcham- Registered: 5 Oct 2021
- Posts: 1,170
#8
On being discharged ,with a disability pension of 11 shillings and sixpence ,Henry trained in saddlery and leather work which he practiced in the village.
However ,Charlotte and Henry decided to take on the carriers Arms public house now called the Smugglers inn the village but the venture was unprofitable so Henry left,and again took up gardening .
He worked for Admiral Sutton at Southcliffe in Lighthouse Road and later on for Lord and Lady Astor who were living at"The Hermitage"now South Sands House.
The Gov likes this
victor matcham- Registered: 5 Oct 2021
- Posts: 1,170
#9
The position also brought with it accommodation in the Hermitage Cottage ,a four bedroom house with a garage underneath for the chauffeurs, the building is now used as the St Margaret,s Museum.
When WW2started, Henry and Charlotte in company with many other residents of the bay were give just 48 hours notice to leave the house.
Henry ,being desperate to serve again,contacted his old commander and was privileged to re-join the Navy in July 1940,but because he was in receipt of a pension ,he could not retain his old rank of CPO so had to re-join as a AB(Able Seaman.
The Gov likes this
victor matcham- Registered: 5 Oct 2021
- Posts: 1,170
#10
Henry went on to serve at HMS,S Pembroke, Peregrine(RNAS FORD)and HMS Daedalus, from where he was posted to 765 Naval Squadron.
Whist at HMS Peregrine ,HMS FORD in Sussex , the station was bombed ,Henry suffered shrapnel wound to his buttock and also broken his alarm clock.In September 1940 Henry was awarded a Hurt Certificate , probably due to his shrapnel wound. more to come
Matey and The Gov like this
victor matcham- Registered: 5 Oct 2021
- Posts: 1,170
#11
A hurt certificate was issued for wounds or minor injuries , it would enable the recipient to claim a better pension on discharge.
The Admiralty often tried to buy back a hurt certificate to save paying out this extra pension cost and Henry,s certificate appears to be one of these as his records also show that he was paid a war Gratuity the amount he was paid £20.00 .
765 Squadron RNAS was the Basic Seaplane Flying and training pool squadron ,it moved to RNAS Sandbanks in Poole Harbour ,Dorset in 1941 ,still under control of HMS Daedalus .
They were operating the Swordfish ,Walrus, and Seafox seaplanes and the American Vought Kingfisher at that time.It was whist serving at RNAS Sandbanks that Henry caught Pneumonia and died in Haslar Naval Hospital on 8th September 1944.And as a small child then I must have been there because my own records show that I was christened in Sandbanks in 1942. still more to come later
The Gov and Reginald Barrington like this
victor matcham- Registered: 5 Oct 2021
- Posts: 1,170
#12
Henry was taken back toStMargaret,s Parish Church and the funeral took place on 12th September 1944,He is in a military Grave longside J.E.Kenway and N.L.Pettitt .The remarks section shows aP.I. Personal Inscritption was added to H.R.Matcham and J.E. Kenway,s headstones .
The text of this inscription was chosen by the family .Also his name appears on the honours list stone inside the church and his name is read out on remembrance Sunday each year.
There is Additional Information in Royal Naval Armoured car Division (RNACD)
Henry was in that and this now follows as the last part of his life.
The Royal Naval Air Service engaged in inter service rivalry on land as well as in the air,possessing for a time the UK,S ONLY mechanised land forces in the form of the RNAS, Armoured Car Section made up of squadrons of Rolls-Royce Armoured Cars, Commanded by Commander Charles Samson who Henry Matcham served long side him. there is more parts to add to this but I will end the story at this point. Thank you for the very nice remarks you all made in my notification.
The Gov likes this
victor matcham- Registered: 5 Oct 2021
- Posts: 1,170
#13
I have true story to tell of another member of my family at some point after I have asked them.Which might be of interest to some members.If not then I will not write it.
Reginald Barrington and The Gov like this
victor matcham- Registered: 5 Oct 2021
- Posts: 1,170
#14
I have not achieve much in my life ,but members of my family have and I am very proud of that,I am not showing off or anything like that, just a proud man of his family.
The Gov likes this