Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Dugald George Matheson (his first name also spelt Dougal) was the third child and older son of John and Agnes (née Seay) Matheson, of Simons Pass Station in the Mackenzie Country. Their first town house was “Ataahua” in Wai-iti Road, Timaru, and from about 1911was Tignafeile House. John from Argyll, Scotland, was of Simon’s Pass Station when he married Agnes on 11 April 1884 at Springfield. They had four daughters and two sons. John and his brother (Dougall George Matheson) had farmed in the Mackenzie from about 1878, John taking up Simon’s Pass Station. The Timaru town house allowed Mrs Matheson and children to reside in Timaru for the benefit of their education. Dougal was born on 28 September 1888 at Springfield, Canterbury. He was initially tutored at home, then spent the early months of 1898 at Kowai Pass School. Then in June 1898 the older Matheson children entered Waimataitai School, their parents’ address being Wai-iti Road. In time, most left for higher education, Dougald going to High School in 1901. Dugald was a first-class scholar. In 1900 he was dux of Waimataitai School. There was a very large attendance at the breaking up ceremony. Mrs Matheson was surely there, perhaps Mr Matheson too. “The proceedings were characterised with great heartiness, each prize-winner receiving a round of applause as he or she went forward to receive the reward of their labour.” Dugald also qualified for an Education Board scholarship at the Timaru High School, being placed third among the juniors. Two years later, while a pupil at Timaru Boys’ High School, Dougald [sic] was awarded an Education Board Senior Scholarship, gaining the highest marks in the district (757 out of a possible 950). In 1905 he was awarded Mr J. S. Gibson’s medal for Dux of School (1st Latin, 1st French, 1st German, 1st Geometry, 1st Trigonometry, 3rd English). The New Zealand University examinations results published on 21 January 1907 showed Dougald Matheson (Timaru) passing “with credit”. He was one of eleven candidates who passed in all subjects of the intermediate medical examination in the university examinations in December 1909. The Degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery was conferred on Dugald George Matheson in April 1913. Dugald was a doctor. He achieved the highest marks in New Zealand in his final medical examination, having obtained first-class honours in every subject.

John Matheson, late of Simon’s Pass Station, Mackenzie Country, died on 28 April 1914 at his residence, “Tighnafeile”, Wai-iti Road, Timaru, where he had spent a good deal of his time in recent years. He was buried in the Timaru Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, Dr Matheson (his elder son), J. S. Matheson (his younger son, now of Simon’s Pass), and his four daughters. D. G. Matheson wrote to the Director of Medical Services from the Sanatorium, Rotorua on 28 September 1915 – “My name has been on the waiting list for a medical appointment with Expeditionary forces since the beginning of the year (I applied through P.M.O. for Canterbury) & I wish to know if I could possibly get an appointment on the hospital ship (Marama).” The reply sent on 5 October – “Hospital Ship no vacancies. Apply for Enp. Force.” A further letter followed from Dugald on 7 October – “In reply to your letter of the 5th inst., I wish to state that I will be only too pleased to get an appointment as Medical Officer with Expeditionary Force.” Telegram – “Appointment report Trentham Camp as soon as possible.” The telegram sent to Defence Auckland on 19 October read – “Please instruct Dr D G Matheson Sanatorium Rotorua that he has been appointed Medical Officer with Expeditionary Force ranking as Captain and to report for duty Trentham Camp immediately please issue necessary railway warrants”.

And so, Captain Matheson was posted to the New Zealand Medical Corps on 25 October 1915. He was promoted from Temporary Captain to Captain on 1 November. Captain D. G. Matheson, 11th Reinforcements, had reported at Trentham Camp for duty at the beginning of November 1915. Dugald George Matheson enlisted on 5 November 1915 at Palmerston North, where he had been medically examined. He was 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighed 148 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 34½-36½ inches, a dark complexion, blue eyes and dark hair. His sight, hearing, colour vision and teeth were all good; his limbs only fairly formed; his chest well formed; his heart and lungs normal. Movement of his joints was hampered by one hammer toe. He had had measles, mumps and scarlet fever, but he was free from diseases, was vaccinated, and was in good bodily and mental health. The one slight defect - hammer toe – was not sufficient to cause rejection. Dugald was employed by the Government Tourist Department as a medical practitioner at the Rotorua Sanatorium. Single and Presbyterian, he named his mother as next-of-kin – Mrs Agnes Matheson, Wai-iti Road, Timaru.

On 8 November 1915, Captain Matheson was notified that he would proceed with the 8th Reinforcements on Transport “Tofua” leaving Wellington 13th inst. The NZ Gazette of 11 November 1915 recorded the appointment of Lieutenant Dugald George Matheson, M.B., Ch.B., New Zealand Medical Corps (temporary Captain while employed with the Expeditionary Force), as of date 1 November 1915. Captain D. G. Matheson did embark with the Medical Corps of the 8th Reinforcements, leaving Wellington for Suez, Egypt on 13 November 1915 per the “Tofua”. Marching out on 24 December, he was attached to Strength at Moascar. He was attached to the Strength of the New Zealand Base at Cairo from Ghezireh on 28 January 1916. Embarking for France per Hospital Ship at Port Said on 13 April 1916, he was attached to the New Zealand Base at Etaples some ten days later.

Dugald Matheson was admitted to No. 6 Red Cross Hospital (France) and transferred to the Hospital Ship “Newhaven” on 23 May 1916 – hammer toe (Hallux Valgus). He was then admitted to the 2nd London General Hospital (England). A Medical Board was assembled at this hospital on 26 May to examine and report on the state of health of Capt. D. G. Matheson whose disability was Hallux Valgus. The Board found that he had had for some years a hammer toe and latterly the first toe had become displaced outwards leading to considerable pain on walking. This condition was to be operated on in a few days. His general health was good, but he was likely to be unfit for General service for two months. Discharged to the Command Depot at Codford on 26 July 1916, he marched into Sling. He was attached to the New Zealand Command at Hornchurch on 11 August. A Medical Board was assembled at Hornchurch, Essex, on 11 August 1916, to examine Captain D. G. Matheson, N.Z.M.C, whose disability was Hallux Valgus (right). It was found that he had been operated on for Hallux Valgus and Hammer Toe on the right foot. Two months had elapsed since the operation and a successful result had been obtained as the parts were now in good position and the patient could walk for three or four miles without discomfort. He was deemed fit for General Service. Having left Sling Camp for France on 17 August 1916, he was attached for duty with the New Zealand Divisional Sanitary Section, then a few days later detached for duty with the 4th Battalion 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade (NZ Division Sanitary). Captain Matheson joined the No. 1 New Zealand Stationary Hospital at Amiens on 7 September 1916. Dugald himself was admitted to the New Zealand Stationary Hospital at Amiens on 6 December 1916, with slight influenza. A few days later he was transferred for duty at the No. 1 Stationary Hospital. On 13 January 1917, however, he was admitted to No. 1 Stationary Hospital at Amiens, because of his deformed toes (slight), and on 15 January to the No. 2 British Red Cross Hospital. Still afflicted with this problem, he embarked for England per the Hospital Ship “St David” on 18 January 1917 and was admitted to the New Zealand No. 1 General Hospital at Brockenhurst on 19 January. His was a severe case. There, on 25 January, a Medical Board was assembled to examine Matheson whose disability was Hallux Valgus and Osteo-arthritis of metatarsi phalangeal joints of both feet. There was also associated with his condition a considerable degree of atrophy of muscles of leg below knee and to a lesser extent above the knee. He was not capable of walking far. His general health was good. He was assessed as permanently unfit for General Service and for service at home. He was, however, considered fit for Hospital work or Transport at home. His disability had been aggravated by active service in Egypt and France. He was placed on the NZ Roll on 25 January 1917 on account of ill health contracted on Active Service. It was reported on 26 January that his condition was the same. On 31 January he was transferred to the Officers New Zealand Convalescent Home at Brighton. Even though it had been recommended that he return to the Front when fit.

Captain Dugald G. Matheson, medical practitioner, embarked at Devonport per the “Maunganui” (Transport No. 68) on 17 March 1917, returning on duty, and arrived back in New Zealand in May 1917, part of a large contingent of 529 invalids and others. The invalids included 105 who belonged to Canterbury units or had next-of-kin in Canterbury. Mrs Matheson, Timaru, had been advised that the Transport would arrive at Lyttelton on 11 May approximately and Captain Matheson would disembark at that port. He reached Timaru on 14 May by the express bringing a group of invalided soldiers. [Sun, 12 May 1917; Timaru Herald, 15 May 1917] On 11 May 1917, the Medical Officer on the “Maunganui” acknowledged “the readily given co-operation of the transport M.O. (Capt. Robertson N.Z.M.C.) and the two returning invalided medical officers (Capt. D. G. Matheson and Capt. Macdonnell) and also the services of Miss Nurse, and the members of the N.Z.A.N.S.” Capt. D. G. Matheson , N.Z.M.C., and Capt. Macdonnell acted as company M.O.s, taking sick parade daily.

A Provisional Medical Board had been assembled on board the Troopship “Maunganui” on 12 May at Wellington, for the purpose of examining and recommending treatment for 3/1278 Capt. Dugald George Matheson. The Board recommended that he be treated at the Rotorua Convalescent Home and attend as an out-patient after seven days at home, reporting on 21 May. He was granted leave at home (Wai-iti Road, Timaru) from 14 May 1917 to 20 May 1917, spending a few days with his mother. Captain Dugald Matheson was admitted to King George V Hospital, Rotorua on 22 May 1917 for treatment of Hallux Valgus right and Hammer toe 2nd. A wedge was taken from the inner side of his great toe and a portion of the 1st Phalanx of his 2nd toe. There was much wasting of his calf. As of 8 June 1917, he was to have further treatment there. A Medical Board was assembled next at Rotorua on 3 July 1917. His original disability – Hallux Valgus – had been caused by Infantile Paralysis and had resulted in weakness and wasting of the legs. Progress was very slow indeed. His disability was permanent. He was fit for partial Civil Employment. Discharge from the Expeditionary Force was recommended, and a Pension (his capacity for earning a full livelihood having been lessened by half). Further (ordinary) leave was granted from 4 July 1917 to 24 July 1917. Dugald reported in writing, as instructed, from Wai-iti Road, Timaru on 14 July 1917, that he had been discharged and was on the usual three weeks’ leave.

He was discharged on 24 July 1917 and struck off the Strength of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and absorbed with his original rank and seniority (namely Lieutenant). Dugald’s letter written on 1 August 1917 stating that he had done all in his power to avoid bringing discredit to the New Zealand Medical Corps was acknowledged. On 5 August 1921, Lieutenant (late Captain N.Z.E.F.) D. G. Matheson was posted to the Retired List with rank of Captain. He had served in Egypt and Europe and was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Dugald headed for Roseneath Station, Kurow, North Otago, that being a Matheson family property.

In early July 1917, the engagement was announced of Captain D. G. Matheson, N.Z.M.C., elder son of the late Mr John Matheson and Mrs John Matheson, Wai-iti road, Timaru, to Miss Mary Lane (late of England), eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs A. Lane, of Ryde, Sydney, and niece of Sir Arbuthnot Lane, M.D., London. Mary had served as a V.A.D. with the British Red Cross in World War One. They married on 5 July. Captain and Mrs Matheson arrived in Christchurch from Wellington by the ferry steamer on 11 July. At the beginning of November 1917, Dr D. G. Matheson left New Zealand for the United States and Canada, a saloon passenger. In January 1918, the appointment of Dr Dougall G. Matheson, M.B., Ch.B., as assistant medical officer at Rarotonga, was gazetted.

While Mary was in Wai-iti Road with her mother-in-law in 1919, by 1922 she was at “Roseneath”, Kurow, where Dugald took up sheep-farming for health reasons. During the influenza epidemic, Dugald had done invaluable work in Hokitika. Dugald had had an interest in Roseneath for some years, it being farmed by his uncle Donald, who left the area in about 1919. While Dugald was away at the front, there was a manager at “Roseneath” and his mother oversaw the business operation of the station, as she had done with Simon’s Pass Sation in the Mackenzie. Dugald’s younger brother, John, took over Simons Pass Station. At the Supreme court, Timaru, on 18 September 1919, Dugald George Matheson’s claim against the New Zealand Loan Company for damages in the sale of lambs (September 1918) was heard. The wording of sale notes, with respect to both Dugald and his mother, was at the centre of the claim. After two days of hearings, it was about 2½ weeks before judgment was pronounced, and that was not in favour of the Mathesons. Dugald and Mary lived on at “Roseneath”, where Mrs Matheson, of “Teignafeile” (Timaru) was a frequent visitor. They in turn, visited Mrs Matheson in Wai-iti Road, Timaru.

Their first child, Dugald George Matheson, who was born on 23 September 1919 at “Roseneath” Station, Kurow, died on 14 October 1919, just 22 days old, and was buried at Kurow. A second son was born at Dunedin on 27 November 1920 – Donald Lane Matheson. Dugald was popular and became involved in local Kurow life, offering valuable services at the Kurow Jockey Club’s race day, serving as honorary medical officer of the Kurow Racing Club and as a director of the Kurow Motor Company, and being elected to the North Otago A. and P. Association. When Elsie Margaret Matheson, third daughter of Mrs and the late Mr John Matheson, married Charles Richard Cresswell at Chalmers Church in May 1925, Dr Dugald Matheson, of Kurow, gave her away. Her youngest sister, Mona, was bridesmaid, and her niece, Margery Martin, carried her train. The reception was held at “Tighnafeile”.

Tragedy struck this little family on the afternoon of 23 January 1930, when a cave-in occurred in a coalmine on the property of Dr. D. G. Matheson at Kurow. Initially, it was thought that Doctor and Mrs Mary Matheson and their young son were all in the mine; later it was confirmed that just Mrs Matheson was trapped in the mine. Help was summoned from the Waitaki Hydro Dam works, 100 men rushing to help, but a second fall in the mine and loose rock hampered their efforts. Mrs Matheson had taken afternoon tea to the miners, the fall occurring when she entered the shaft. Her body was recovered the next morning death appearing to be instantaneous. At the inquest, evidence was given of Mrs Matheson’s movements at the mine, of which she was the owner. The jury returned the following verdict: “That deceased, Mary Matheson, met her death at the Roseneath coal mine on January 23, through asphyxia as a result of being buried under a fall of coal in the drive, there being no blame attachable to anyone.”

Mrs Agnes Matheson died at Sydney on 9 August 1934 and was buried at Timaru with her husband. She had travelled much in her later years. Dr Dugald and Mary Matheson had visited Sydney in March 1926. Dugald George Matheson, M.B., Ch.B., died at “Tignafeile,” Wai-iti Road, Timaru, of Roseneath Station, Kurow, on 11 October 1935, aged 47 years. He was interred privately with Mary in the Matheson family plot at the Timaru Cemetery. While one newspaper reports his death followed a motor accident, the cause of death recorded in his personnel file was acute pulmonary tuberculosis – 6 weeks. Dugald George Matheson signed his last Will on 28 August 1935, appointing his cousin, Adelaide Matheson, a Timaru solicitor and a Seay relative of Burke’s Pass as executors and trustees. His property was to be held in Trust for his son. D. G. Matheson is remembered on the Students’ Roll of Honour in the Ross Chapel at Knox College, Dunedin. Donald Lane Matheson, the only surviving child of Dugald and Mary, was just 14 years old when his father died. He was educated at Waihi Boys’ School at Winchester and at Christ’s College. Young Donald was at Roseneath when his name was drawn in a World War Two ballot in 1941. He and his wife farmed the family property. Donald died in 1982 in the USA and was buried at Kurow with his infant brother as per the stipulation in his Will.

Dugald’s younger brother, John Stewart Matheson, was listed on the 1916 Reserve Roll – shepherd, “Tighnafeile”, Wai-iti Road, Timaru. In February 1917 he was called up. At a sitting of the Appeal Court in Timaru on 27 August 1918, “John S. Matheson, C1, Lake Pukaki (Mr Campbell), was appealed for by Mr Roberts, his father-in-law, on the ground that he had a run of 2000 acres to look after. Mr Roberts said that he had lost one son at the war, and another was at the front. Matheson did high-country mustering as well as looked after the 2000 acre run.” His case was adjourned sine die, then re-heard three weeks later – “it had been reported to the Board that the appellant spent a good deal of his time in his father-in-law’s hotel, and that his sheep work did not amount to much. The Board were not going to give exemptions to men to hang about hotels, and so had decided to review the case. Mr Roberts again appeared in support of the application. He said he had a run of 2000 acres on which he ran 1200 sheep. Appellant was the only man on the run, and it occupied all his time. In reply to Major Gresson the witness repeated that the whole of appellant’s time was occupied on the run. Witness denied that appellant worked in the hotel except that he might on occasion give a lift with something, or perhaps attend to the bar for a few minutes when witness was sorting a mail. The Board decided to adhere to the original for a sine die adjournment, but told Mr Roberts that the appellant must not work in or about the hotel.” John had married Doris Roberts in 1916 and worked Simon’s Pass Station after his father’s death in 1914. Two nephews of Dugald George Matheson – John Claverley Martin and Gerald Lindsay (sons of Ellen Matheson and George Claverley Martin) – served in World War Two. John who was with the Royal Air Force was killed in action (mid-air collision in the English Channel) in August 1941. He is remembered on the Matheson family stone in Timaru Cemetery, where his parents were buried in 1939 and 1964 respectively.

Sources

Auckland War memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [09 October 2014]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5948 0363072) [09 September 2016], NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5549 0079091) [09 September 2016]; Press, 14 April 1884, 14 May 1917, 9 July 1917, 2 November 1917, 26 June 1925, 24 January 1930, Christchurch Star, 1 October 1888, Timaru Herald, 14 December 1900, 16 January 1901, 14 January 1903, 20 December 1905, 26 January 1910, 7 May 1914, 14 February 1917, 15 & 23 May 1917, 28 August 1918, 18 September 1918, 19, 20 & 29 September 1919, 6 October 1919, 24 & 25 January 1930, 1 September 1934, Evening Post, 22 January 1907, 17 April 1913, 12 May 1917, 15 May 1917, 22 October 1935, Ashburton Guardian, 26 January 1910, Lyttelton Times, 7 May 1914, Dominion, 3 November 1915, 6 December 1916, 22 October 1935, Otago Daily Times, 12 November 1915, 24 January 1917, 16 October 1935, Oamaru Mail, 24 January 1917, 10 October 1919, North Otago Times, 24 January 1917, 10 October 1919, 12 July 1922, 18 April 1925, 4 March 1926, 25, 27 & 28 January 1930, Sun, 12 May 1917, 11 July 1917, 14 January 1918, New Zealand Herald, 18 June 1917, 24, 25 & 28 January 1930, Auckland Star, 12 January 1918 (Papers Past) [04 December 2013; 11 September 2014; 09 October 2014; 15 November 2014; 28 March 2015; 29 October 2015; 07 & 08 November 2025]; Timaru Cemetery headstone image (Timaru District Council) [09 October 2014]; Timaru Herald, 12 & 15 October 1935 (Timaru District Library) [12 & 18 January 2016]; Probate record (Archives NZ/FamilySearch) [15 January 2016]; School Admission records (South Canterbury & Canterbury branches NZSG); NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [09 October 2014; 06 November 2025]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• MATHESON Dugald George - newspaper clippings (pdf, 238.7 KB updated 19-Dec-2025)
• Dugald George Matheson - biography by Alan McKenzie (pdf, 75.0 KB updated 05-May-2016)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS