He was born in Mold in 1882, the son of Charles and Jane Mather of Maes y Dre, Mold and the husband of Margaret Mather of 1 Spring St, Connah’s Quay, Flintshire.

His army records show that he had been a  soldier before enlisting for WW1. He signed attestation papers in Wrexham in April 1902, when he was 18yrs. At that time he described himself as a labourer. He was in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers to begin with and then transferred to the Army Ordanace Corps. He was transferred to the Army Reserve from 23rd April 1905.

The 1911 census places him at 6 Fron Road Connah’s Quay, where he was a 29 year old married man. His occupation was ‘Ironworker, catcher’ . His 29 year old wife Margaret and his 12 year old daughter Mable lived with him and there were five boarders at the house.

As a reservist he was called up promptly at the start of the war. He rejoined the army in August 1914 and he stated on his attestation papers that he was employed as an ironworker at John Summers Co (Large ironworks). By then the family was living at 1 Spring St, Connah’s Quay. His family had increased – Mabel had two brothers Frederick and Thomas Charles

He seems to have had a chequered army career with one or two references to colourful discipliary incidents eg

‘Creating a disturbance after lights out’
‘Using obscene language to an officer’
‘neglect of duty’

Despite these he was promoted to Lance Corporal and then to Corporal.

He served in Gallipoli and was then part of the Mediterranian Expeditionary Force. He had several periods in hospital for ailments including  heatstroke and tonsilitis. He was killed in action in Gaza.