Major Don Matthews

I'm sorry to have to tell you that Don passed away this morning at 6.10am - we will post the funeral details when known

It is with great sadness that I announce the Passing of a long serving member of the LofF, Don Matthews, he passed away this morning at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea. We will post information for his funeral as it comes in, we believe it will be at Chelsea in a few weeks time. Our thoughts go to his family and friends at this sad time.

Don was a person who got on with everybody. He was always proud of the Regiment, regardless of where he was.

You are now at peace Don

Roger

Very sad news,does anyone have any more info of when Don served,
Dai 55

Condolences to to the Late Maj Don Mathew's family from all at the Denbigh Branch of the Royal Welch Fusiliers Comrades Association. Braz

Very sad, a true gentleman and great loss to the regiment. I'd been attending the League of Friends dinners for about 10 years, always having a chat with Don and his wife when we met. I'd always assumed Don was a product of the regiment in the early 1950's. I believe at some point he was the BOR Sgt, so I suppose I made a lot of assumptions. Anyway, in the Cardiff LOF in 2008. I was sat in the bar with Don on the saturday afternoon, we started chatting about his military service, I was dumbfounded, when he told me he joined the 2nd Battalion in Burma in 1944 and fought the Japanese along the Burma Railway. He never really spoke about it, which is typical of his generation. Its a privilege to have spent some small period of time in his company.

On behalf of the cardiff branch rwca we wish to sent our condolences to dons family
i knew don from our time on the executive committee rwf.
Rest in peace don from keith may

It is with a heavy heart that i read about Major Don Matthews, i saw him last Thursday (090611) while attending the Founders Day at the Royal Chelsea Hospital

When i joined the RWFCA, it was Don that wrote me a hand written letter inviting me to come to the next London Branch meeting (Jan 2010), as the date got closer and closer he would ring me and ask if i would be attending and how to get there. When i got there, there was Don outside the Chelsea Gate entrance waiting for me, and as if he knew me said "hello Lofty, nice to meet you", he took me to the our pre-meeting room (the Pensioners bar) and bought me a pint and then made a toast "to the Regiment", then as the other members came in he introduced me to them and made me feel most welcome

After each meeting we you go back to the bar and have a natter, most of us would just sit there and listen to Don remember names, last two, last four numbers of Battalion members from all those years ago (i thought was quite astounding for an 85 year old)


A true Royal Welchman

R.I.P Don

r.i.p. don a true gentleman and royal welchman god bless you.

wayne

Hello
, R.I.P. Don you will always be remembered by Royal Welch men every where.. A true gentleman.Our sympathy goes out to all his friends and family.
From all at Bridgend R.W.F.C.A.
R B D aka jungle1810

god bless you mate you were a true gentleman in all ways, rest in peace mate wally and marion 15

On Behalf of the Mt Ash Branch R.W.F.C.Assoc we send our condolances to his family True Royal Welch Man R.I.P.

All at the Caernarfon Branch RWFCA send our deepest condolences to Family and friends at the sad loss of Major Don Mathews

On behalf of Shrewsbury and District Branch RWFCA I would like to pass on our condolences in the passing of a true Royal Welchman, he will be sadly missed by all who knew him. RIP Don.

Another 'Old Soldier' answers the Final Call!

Don was, in the best sense of the word, a ‘character’. His dry wit, sense of humour and smile were his trademark, and all went towards making him an enormously popular, warm and charismatic character

He played a huge part in the League of Friends and his passion for it never wavered. He successfully completed terms as the Secretary, Chairman and President.

Don's death is a huge loss to all those who knew him. We cannot comprehend his loss but we should consider ourselves very fortunate to have had such a good friend.

It's a sad day for the RWFCA, even more sad for the London Branch having lost a stalwart, an abundance of Regimental matters and a shoulder to lean on!

Don was proud to be a Royal Welchman and equally proud to make everyone aware of it. Indeed, his email address was: Royalwelchman@googlemail.com.

When his illness was diagnosed, he placed the benefit of the Branch foremost, in announcing his resignation as Branch Chairman in view of his limited activity - the following is an extract of his resignation letter to the Branch President:

"I have spoken to Tony Corbett and he is prepared to take over as Branch Chairman, if appointed and Gerry Griffiths is prepared to take over from Tony. I believe the Branch would still be in good hands. This will be the first time in over 42 years that I have not been a Committee member of the Comrades or LOF:

1969: One of the founders of the LOF
1972: Entertainment Secretary Bridgend Branch
1976: Secretary LOF
1977: Chairman Bridgend Branch
1981: Treasurer London Branch
1992: Treasurer and Chairman London Branch
1992: President of LOF"

He was also a member of the RWFCA Executive Committee until his resignation last year.

A fitting tribute to Don, with the current Association turbulence, during his time as Chairman he was quite passionate that the London Branch should remain RWFCA - a passion shared by all Branch members.

RIP Don, you've more than earned your place in the historic vaults of the Royal Welch Fusiliers Regimental History!


Gerry Griffiths 43
Hon Sec
London Branch RWFCA

Such sad news. Having foughty his last battle Don Matthews now is at rest with his fellow comrades on that great parade ground above. A True Royal Welchman and a gentleman through and through. Until we met again....sleep tight friend.

Paul Hinge Hon. Secretary on behalf Aberystwyth Branch.

A sad loss of a great man, RIP.

Our Deepst sympathy goes out to Don's Family, Friends, Comrades' and Fellow Chelsea Pensioners at this very, very sad time.
I had the honour to know Don through the RWFCA Exc Committee a true Royal Welch Fusilier.

from BennytheBall
All at the Shotton and Deeside Branch RWFCA

May You Rest in Peace.

The funeral of Maj (Retired) Don Matthews will take place at:

The Church of the Royal Hospital Chelsea

The Royal Hospital Chelsea
Royal Hospital Road
London
SW3 4SR

The service will take place at 1430hrs, 30^th June 2011.

Flowers from the family only. Any donations should be made to the Royal Hospital Chelsea through the Chairman or Secretary London Branch RWFCA.

I would meet Don in the Royal Hospital every December. A fine gentleman and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Condolences to his family.

Dai Davies. Swansea Branch RWFCA