Matthew Frederick Hampson collection
Collection
This collection of photographs, postcards and letters was maintained by the family of Matthew Frederick Hampson #4658, who served with the 31st Infantry Battalion, during the First World War. The collection includes Hampson family photographs and an item of trench art in the form of a letter opener. There is also a commemorative certificate for Edmond Eddleston #3803 who served with the 26th Infantry Battalion.
Matthew Frederick (Fred) Hampson was born in 1888 in Bundaberg, Qld the second son of James and Charlotte Hampson (nee Champ), who had 11 children. His father was a general inspector for the Bundaberg Town Council. Fred Hampson first enlisted in May 1916 but was discharged at his own request in July that year due to the ill health of his wife Belinda and two children, Theo and Thelma. Hampson re-enlisted in October 1916 and embarked with the 12th Reinforcements to the 31st Infantry Battalion in December on board HMAT 'Demosthenes'. Hampson arrived at the 8th Training Battalion, Hurdcott, 3 March 1917 and embarked for France in July. He joined his battalion in the field in August where they were operating near Racquinghem, west of Hazebrouck. Two months later Hampson was killed in action by a shell on Passchendaele Ridge; he was buried in the battlefield where he died, and is remembered at the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Multiple copyright statuses.