Born and raised in a traditional fishing family in Filey, Matthew had lived at 4, Chapel Yard all his life.  When the war began in 1914, he left his home and joined up into the Royal Engineers where he trained and spent a period in France before being allowed to go home on leave.  After going back he spent the next sixteen months with the Rail Operating Division of the Engineers in France until he was finally given leave in the last week of November 1917 for fourteen days.  He was feeling unwell at the time, and was glad to be coming back to Filey for the break but on arriving in the town took to his bed straight away.  Over the next few days it became clear Matthew was suffering from meningitis and within a week he had succumbed to his illness, an additional bout of consumption finally dealing the crushing blow.  For the last twenty-four hours of his life he was unconscious and finally passed away at 6.15pm on Sunday 1^st December.  A few days later he was interred in St. Oswalds Churchyard with full military honours.