Matear, Robert
Private
No. 10/1290, Wellington Regiment, NZEF
Killed in action on Thursday 29 April 1915 (aged 24)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey (Panel 76)
New Zealand World War One Roll of Honour
Donaghadee and District War Memorial
Shore Street Presbyterian Church Donaghadee
Family grave headstone in Donaghadee Parish Church of Ireland Graveyard
BIOGRAPHY
In some records his surname is spelt McTier, in others McTear and in others Mateer.
Robert Matear was born on 1 February 1891 in Ballyfrenis (in some records, 8 February 1891) and he was the second son of Charles and Annie Matear (nee Robinson) who were married on 14 August 1889 in Ballycopeland Presbyterian Church Millisle. Charles Matear from Ballywilliam was a son of James Matear, a farmer. Annie Robinson from Ballyfrenis was a daughter of Robert Robinson, a farmer.
The Matear family lived in the townland of Ballywilliam, Donaghadee
Charles Matear was a farmer and he and Annie had seven children:
Thomas (born 7 September 1889 in Ballyfrenis; died 16 May 1968,
Robert (born 1 February 1891 in Ballyfrenis)
Isabella (born 15 September 1892 in Ballyfrenis)
Agnes (born 7 April 1894 in Ballywilliam; died 18 March 1971,
Martha (born 12 August 1895 in Ballywilliam; died of congestion of the lungs 9 December 1896 aged 16 months)
Charles William (born 4 December 1896 in Ballywilliam)
Unnamed Child (born 26 September 1899 in Ballywilliam; died at birth)
Robert was eight when his mother Annie died in childbirth on 28 September 1899 (aged 44) and she was buried along with her infant child.
The children were baptised in Shore Street Presbyterian Church Donaghadee.
After leaving school Robert Matear moved to New Zealand where he lived in Clifton Grove, Hinekura, Waikato.
He worked as a farm hand for Mr W.F. Elkington.
Robert Matear enlisted at Trentham, Upper Hutt on 17 October 1914 for the duration of the war.
It was noted in his attestation papers that he was 5 feet 7 inches tall with a dark complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair.
He underwent training in New Zealand for 53 days from 17 October 1914 until 14 December 1914 and then was at sea for 45 days from 15 December 1914 until 28 January 1915 when he landed in Egypt.
During the First World War Private Robert Matear served with the Wellington Regiment (17th Ruahine Company) New Zealand Expeditionary Force.
Private Robert Matear (No. 10/1290) was 24 when he was killed in action at Gallipoli on 29 April 1915.
Initially he was reported as missing in action and presumption of his death was officially confirmed on 15 June 1915.
Private Robert Matear (No. 10/1290) has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey; in the New Zealand World War One Roll of Honour; on Donaghadee and District War Memorial; in Shore Street Presbyterian Church Donaghadee and on the Family grave headstone in Donaghadee Parish Church of Ireland Graveyard where his date of death is inscribed as 8 June 1915.
Robert Matear’s father, Charles Matear, died on 13 November 1935 (aged 82).