Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Duncan Matheson was born on 28 August 1874 in Scotland, the son of Duncan and Christina Matheson. Quite probably he was born on 29 August 1873 at Contin, Ross and Cromarty, the third son of Duncan and Christina (née Grant) Matheson. Duncan (senior) and Christina married on 5 February 1869 at Contin and had a family of five sons and three daughters. By 1917 both parents had died. Duncan, junior, was a scholar at home with his parents at Contin in 1881; he was a farm servant at Comrie, Contin in 1891. Having come to New Zealand in about 1905, he was a shepherd on the Otaio Estate, South Canterbury in 1908 and in 1911. By 1914 he had moved to Holme Station near Pareora.

Among the names of men from the Canterbury province who were drawn in the second Military Service Ballot on 14 December 1916 was Duncan Matheson, Holme Station, Timaru, shepherd. He was medically examined by the Travelling Medical Board at Timaru on 31 January 1917. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches and weighing 169 pounds, he had a chest measurement of 38-40½ inches, a dark complexion, brown eyes and brown hair. His sight, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal, his limbs and chest well formed. He was free from diseases, vaccinated, and in good bodily and mental health. He did have a slight defect but not sufficient to cause rejection. He had suffered sunstroke 14 years ago, and was laid up for 7 months. He was passed Fit, Class A.

Duncan attested initially at Timaru on 31 January 1917. He was working as a shepherd for Elworthy at Holme Station, Timaru. Single and Presbyterian, he named a friend as next-of-kin – Miss C. Menzies, Edward Street, Waimate. (Christina Menzies was born in Argyll, Scotland in 1873, the daughter of James and Menzies and Mary née Barrow. The family came to New Zealand before 1890. Christina and her parents may have been at Otaio at the same time as Duncan. By 1914 they were at Edward Street, Waimate.)

D. Matheson was in the draft of South Canterbury men who left for Trentham by the second express on 20 February 1917. At 12 o’clock the men were entertained at dinner by the ladies of the Patriotic War Relief Society in Miss Read’s Stafford Tea Rooms, a first-class meal being provided. The Savage Club entertained the men with delightful music when they were at lunch. At 3 o’clock the departing soldiers assembled at the Drill Shed, where they were addressed by Mr E. R. Guinness, Mayor, and Mr J. Craigie, M.P. Mr Guinness wished them a good time in camp, God speed, and a safe return. Mr Craigie wanted a fund established to provide better pay for the soldiers, and to provide better for their dependents., so that when the war was over the soldiers and their dependents would be properly cared for. The men were then marched out and photographed, after which they were marched to the railway station led by the Regimental Band and the High School Cadets. Before the train moved out of the station Mr Guinness mounted the platform of one of the carriages and called for three cheers for the boys, and these were heartily given.

A social was held in Southburn School on 10 April 1917 when the residents bade farewell to Privates D Matheson and H. Tait. This would appear to be Duncan Matheson, Henry Tait (47373) also serving with the 26th Reinforcements. After some games and a supper provided by the ladies of the district, Private Matheson was presented with a pipe and a fountain pen, and Private Tait with a wristlet watch. The hope was expressed that the war would soon be over, and they would before long be receiving a hearty welcome back. The departing soldiers were wished the best of luck and a speedy return. Sergeant Williams, Private Matheson and Private Tait received a few woollen comforts from the local Sewing Guild, along with the good wishes of the Guild. The guests of the evening having been heartily cheered, and having suitably replied, the proceedings closed with the singing of “Soldiers of the King” and the National Anthem.

Duncan Matheson enlisted at Featherston on 20 April 1917. Private D. Matheson had been posted to the 26th Reinforcements on 20 February 1917. A Medical Board was assembled at Trentham on 28 April 1917, to examine and report on the state of health of 47348 Private Duncan Matheson. His disability was rheumatism dating from prior to enlistment. He was unable to drill, and his progress was stationary. While considered not fit for Active Service, he was deemed fit for Territorial Service and for Civil Employment. The Board recommended Discharge C2 (Permanently unfit for active service but fit for service in New Zealand) and further recommended duty with the Military Police.

A postcard depicting a Featherston Camp group 1917 was written from Featherston Camp on 8 May 1917 by D. Matheson, C Company, 26th Reinforcements, to Mr & Mrs Harper. “This wet weather I am suffering from rheumatics, might get a transfer.” He was transferred to Infantry Details on 12 May 1917 at Trentham, then back to the 26ths on 18 May. A Medical Board was assembled again on 22 May 1917. The disability was now epigastric & intercostal pain (noting that his age was 43). The cause of this disability was unknown, but it dated from prior to enlistment. As a consequence, he was unable to train and was very slow. He was not fit for Active Service. The disability was likely to last indefinitely. The Board recommended that he return to duty at Trentham – Home Service. So, he commenced employment on home service with the Camp Military Police on 24 May 1917. He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on 8 June 1917. A third Medical Board was assembled at Trentham on 28 May 1918. Rheumatism, which existed pre-enlistment and was caused by exposure to wet, was the original disability. Duncan suffered pain in his shoulders and legs and was unable to drill. Progress was stationary. He was assessed permanently unfit and was ineligible for pension.

Terminating his actual employment in home service duties on 28 September 1918, Lance-Corporal D. Matheson was granted leave of absence without pay and a Certificate of Leave in lieu of Discharge. His character was good. He had received dental treatment. Matheson would return to Holme Station, Timaru. In 1919 Duncan was a gardener at nearby Gordon Valley. It appears that he returned home to Scotland not too long after. Duncan Matheson died on 4 April 1939, aged 66 years, and was buried with his parents and some siblings in a family plot in the Contin Parish Churchyard.

Alexander Donald Matheson (7/1098) who was born at Contin, Ross-shire, was employed on the Otaio Estate with Duncan in 1908 and also served with the New Zealand Forces in World War One, was probably a relative or very close acquaintance of Duncan Matheson. (Matheson was a very common name in that part of Scotland.)

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Cenotaph Database [31 October 2025]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5549 0079088) [07 September 2016]; Scotland Birth Registration (ancestry.com.au) ; Timaru Herald, 15 December 1916, 19, 20 & 21 February 1917, 16 April 1917, 20 February 1917, Press, 15 December 1916 (Papers Past) [06 September 2016; 28 August 2020; 31 October 2025; 03 November 2025]; Scotland Birth registration (ancestry.com.au); [07 September 2016]; Scotland Census returns (ancestry.com.au) [08 September 2016]; Contin (Scotland) Parish Churchyard headstone image & transcription (Ross & Cromarty Roots – https://gravestones.rosscromartyroots.co.uk) [08 September 2016]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [07 September 2016; 01 November 2025]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• MATHESON Duncan - newspaper clippings (pdf, 104.1 KB updated 19-Dec-2025)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS