|
VX/24597
Captain
Lionel Colin Matthews
Awarded the George Cross and Military Cross
1912/08/05 - Born Stepney, South Australia
Son of Edgar and Ann Matthews
Educated at East Adelaide Public and Norwood High Schools
1935/12/26 - Lionel married Myrtle at St Mathews Anglian Church, Kensington
Lionel trained as a signalman in the Citizen Naval Forces
Australian Corps of Signals
8th Divisional Signals
A Company Commander of ‘E’ Battalion
Service
1939, April, Enlisted in the Militia
1940, January - Lionel was commissioned as a lieutenant
1940/06/10 - Transferred to the Australian Imperial Force
Enlistment Photo
1941, February - Deployed to Singapore as part of 8th Division Signals
1941/12/08 - Japan enters the war by Bombing Pearl Harbour and attacking Hong Kong and Malaya. Japanese troops land the Malayan border with Thailand at Kota Bharu (Malaya), Singora and Patani (Thailand).
During the invasion of Malaya, Lionel maintained communications under fire at Gemas
As the Japanese had taken the airfield at Kota Bharu, the Allied troops had very little air cover and by the 31st of January 1942, Allied Troops were pushed back to Singapore. The causeway joining Singapore to Malaya was blown to stop the Japanese advance.
On the 9th February the Japanese attacked the North West coast of Singapore. General Percival had set his main defence on the North East coast line, and the Japanese quickly gained the advantage.
By the 15th February the Japanese were in danger of taking control of the water supply at the reservoirs, which would endanger the Singapore City water supply. General Percival had no alternative but to surrender.
1942/02/15 - Singapore surrendered to the Japanese
Lionel was awarded the Military Cross
Japanese PoW
1942/02/15 - Captured Singapore
Interned at Changi
1942/07/08 - Transported oversea in the Ubi Maru to Kuching
Commander Lt-Col. Walsh 2/10 Field Regiment, R.A.A.
The Ubi Maru refuelled at Miri on the North East coast of Borneo.
1942/07/18 - Arrived Sandakan and marched to the South West of the town to No. 1 Camp, Sandakan
At the camp Lionel, who was known as ‘The Boy Scout’ but more commonly as ‘The Duke’, made contact with Dick Majinal, a local Malay who had been helping the local civilians of Sandakan. He helped Lionel by smuggling in food and medicine to the PoW Camp. In time Lionel also made contact with Dr Jim Taylor, British North Borneo senior Medical officer, who had lived in Borneo for the last 20 years and led a local town-based group. Lionel was getting deeply involved with under-cover work for the good of the PoWs at Sandakan.
The PoWs eyesight was being affected by the lack of Vitamin ‘A’, palm-oil was a known help so Colonel Sheppard gained permission from the Japanese to send out a working party to collect the nuts from the local Palm-oil trees, from which oil could be extracted. Lionel volunteered for this party, picking three other Signalers, Lt. Foster, Elser and Ewin, they did not have any Japanese guards with them. Lionel was therefore allowed to make contact with the local assistance group, who in turn opened up a line of communication with both Dr Taylor and Governor Smith on Berhala island. They then were given a further supply of Vitamin ‘B’, which was badly needed in the camp.
From these meetings in the palm-olive grove a communication was made with a Filipino Guerilla unit operating in the Sulu Islands, to the South-East of Sandakan. Maps of the island were obtained and a .38 calibre pistol which were taken into the PoW Camp. After a week the nut working party was stopped by the Japanese, but outside information was still being relayed into the camp.
Lt. Hoshijima Susumi was now appointed as the Camp Commander on the 15th August 1942, and against the Geneva Convention he used the PoWs to build an aerodrome. What was a fairly easy camp, now became more brutal.
In communication with the local assistance group, Lionel adopted the name ‘Roslyn’ and Dr Taylor ‘Geebung’. Messages were left in the adopted jungle post-box and relayed to Berhala.
As there were few roads in the area, a rail link was established to quicken supplies to build the aerodrome.
The work was now seven days a week and the guards did not hold back with brutal treatment to further the aerodrome completion. With this treatment, sickness increased, with no help in medication from the Japanese.
Although there was still communication through the local assistance group, a radio was needed to know what was going on in the Far East. Radio components were being gathered, and under Lionels assistance, being organised by Signaler Bill Constable. Knowing the penalty for a radio in the camp was death, silence on the radio construction was essential.
Come late October Wells and Weyton had built a radio capable of receiving broadcasts from London, but unfortunately transmitted a loud whistle, which could be picked up by the Japanese. To power the radio, Wells built a power supply using test tubes, together with boracic acid and sodium borate from medical supplies which had been brought into the camp. Tin foil was collected from a tea chest which brought the rice into the camp. This chemical rectifier was used to convert their camps AC voltage to DC. The aerial was a long piece of wire attached to the clothes line hanging in the hut. On the 4th November the first transmission was received from London.
By this time many Chinese had joined the local assistance group, one being a Chinese Filipino, Wong Mu Sing, who operated as an undercover agent for the Filipino Guerilla unit. He passed the roll of ‘B’ Force onto his commander, who then passed it onto the American submarines who supplied the guerillas.
In case of an uprising in Borneo, Lionel was nominated as Chief of Police, Jim Heaslop as Quartermaster and Dr Rod Jeffrey as Chief Medical Officer, Ken Mosher was to command four platoons, made up from the most fit men in the camp. The uprising was all set up, but unexpectedly British PoWs from ‘E’ Force, arrived at Sandakan on the 18th October and were placed in a separate camp, and there was no communication between the camps, so they knew nothing of the expected uprising.
On 22nd July 1943 a Japanese search party unexpectedly arrived at Sandakan No. 1 Camp, giving the PoWs no time to hide the radio. Compasses, two pistols and maps were found, and Lionel was placed under arrest along with Rae, Davis and Graham. They were taken to Kempeitai Headquarters in Sandakan where they were tortured. On the 24th July the radio was found.
On the 14th August the Japanese decided that the standard torture was not producing results so more sever torture took place, but again, not one of them confessed. Then a statement from the village stated that they had obtained parts for the radio in the village, this sealed their fate and more Australians were arrested and tortured.
By mid-September the Kempeitai finished, what they called ‘The Sandakan Incident’ and 20 PoWs were taken to Kuching to stand trial. A book had been found at Sandakan which incriminated Lionel, Wells and Weynton.
Captain Lionel Matthews was found guilty and was sentenced to face a firing squad.
On the 2nd March 1944, Lionel was executed by the Japanese.
That night at Kuching Camp, a lone piper played ‘The Lament’
Died
Age 31
2nd March 1944
Loved Ones
Son of Edgar Roy Matthews and Anne Elizabeth Matthews
Husband of Myrtle Matthews, of Marryatville, South Australia
Memorial
J.B.15.
Labuan Cemetery
Malaysia
Tribute to Lionel’s Memory
Lionel Colin Matthews GC, MC was an Australian Army officer whose courage, integrity, and resistance under extreme adversity have become legendary. Captured during World War II after the fall of Singapore, Matthews organized a daring resistance network while imprisoned by the Japanese, ultimately sacrificing his life to protect others. His unwavering resolve earned him the George Cross, one of the Commonwealth's highest awards for gallantry. But his legacy lives on not only through medals and memorials — it is actively remembered and celebrated through the Perpetual Lionel Matthews Trophy, an award that honours leadership and excellence in the field he served with such distinction.
Born in Stepney, South Australia, on August 15, 1912, Lionel Matthews joined the Citizens Military Forces in 1929 and later the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). He became a signals officer in the 8th Division Signals, responsible for vital military communications in the field.
Deployed to British Malaya during World War II, Matthews faced the harsh realities of combat when the Japanese launched their swift invasion of Southeast Asia in December 1941.
Singapore fell to Japanese forces on February 15, 1942, marking one of the greatest Allied defeats of the war. Matthews, among thousands of Australian troops, was taken prisoner. Initially held at Changi Prison, he was later transferred to Sandakan POW camp in British North Borneo.
Rather than succumb to captivity, Matthews demonstrated exceptional leadership and courage by organizing a secret resistance network.
- He Smuggled medicine and food to fellow prisoners.
- Helped build a clandestine radio network to gather and pass on intelligence
- Collaborated with local civilians and Chinese guerrilla fighters.
- Encouraged morale and discipline under appalling conditions.
His actions were conducted under constant threat of discovery by the Kempeitai, the ruthless Japanese military police. Arrest, Torture, and Execution Matthews underground activities were eventually discovered. In 1943, he was arrested, severely tortured, and interrogated over several weeks. Despite this, he refused to betray his comrades or local supporters. His silence likely saved dozens of lives.
On 2nd March 1944, Lionel Matthews was executed by firing squad in Kuching, Borneo. He was just 31 years old.
Posthumous Recognition In 1947, Matthews was posthumously awarded the George Cross, the highest gallantry award for acts of heroism not in direct combat. He was also a recipient of the Military Cross (MC) for earlier bravery during the Malayan campaign.
His citation reads, in part:-
‘He was a soldier of the highest type, courageous and resourcefull. He set an example which will never be forgotten.’
To preserve the memory of Matthews and inspire excellence in military communication, the Australian Army Signals Corps established the Perpetual Lionel Matthews Trophy. The trophy is arranged and awarded annually by Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RA Sigs), this is the same corps in which Matthews served. It is supported by the Australian Army's Training Command and signals units across the nation.
The trophy is presented to the most outstanding junior officer in the Royal Australian Corps of Signals each year.
The award recognizes:-
- Leadership
- Technical proficiency in communications and signals operations
- Professionalism
- Commitment to the values and spirit embodied by Lionel Matthews
To win the Lionel Matthews Trophy, candidates must:-
- Serve within RA Sigs as a junior officer (typically at lieutenant or captain level).
- Demonstrate exceptional performance, innovation, and leadership in signals duties, both in training and, where applicable, on operational deployments.
- Be nominated by commanding officers, who submit detailed reports to the selection committee.
Undergo review by a board of senior signals officers who evaluate candidates based on merit, conduct, and contributions to unit effectiveness.
The winner is formally recognized at a Corps or Defence Force ceremony and presented with the perpetual trophy, often accompanied by a personal memento.
A Living Legacy Through the Lionel Matthews Trophy, the Australian Army ensures that the heroism of one of its most valiant officers continues to inspire new generations. It is more than just an award, it’s a living connection to a man who upheld duty, honour, and sacrifice under the most trying conditions imaginable.
Conclusion Lionel Matthews' story is one of quiet resistance, principled courage, and unshakable loyalty. Even in the darkest corners of war, his actions illuminated what it truly means to serve, not only your country but humanity itself. In the echoes of military signals, in the resilience of Australia’s Defence Force, and in the annual presentation of his namesake trophy.
HIS DUTY FEARLESLY AND NOBLY DONE EVER REMEMBERED
Information
Keith Bettany
Book ‘Sandakan - A Conspiracy of Silence’ by Lynette Ramsay Silver
The Fall of Malaya and Singapore
Sandakan
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
KEW Files:- WO 361/1625, WO 361/2055,
|
