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Warrant Officer Robert Matchett

 

 

Robert Matchett was born on 25 December 1880 at 24 Grosvenor Road, Belfast, the first of four children of plumber Robert Matchett and his wife Elizabeth (McBurnie).

On 17 January 1900 he enlisted in the 60th (North Irish Horse Belfast) Company of the Imperial Yeomanry (No.11056), embarking for South Africa for service in the Boer War on 6 April that year. He was discharged at Belfast on 15 June 1901, his conduct recorded as 'good' with special qualifications as a 'good groom'.

Matchett enlisted in the North Irish Horse on 6 or 7 October 1914 (No.1276 – later Corps of Hussars No.71316). He embarked for France with F Squadron on 17 November 1915. During the war he rose to the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2.

Matchett was discharged on 23 June 1919 as surplus to military requirements, having suffered impairment since entry into the service (paragraph 392(xvi a), King's Regulations).

 

Matchett's medals

 

Images kindly provided by William Gordon.