Matson, James A

James Archie Matson

Son of James Matson (1886-1953) and Ettie G.W. Matson (1893-1981)

Born 17th June 1918 at Svea, Minnesota in the United States of America.

A former architect, in the summer of 1944 he was a US Army Warrant Officer based at Camp Griffiss

in Bushy Park, Teddington and billeted with William and Doris Ridge at 63 Hampton Road, Teddington.

On 23rd August 1944, he and a fellow US serviceman were waiting opposite no. 63 for a bus to take

them to the camp when a V1 flying bomb fell and exploded nearby, destroying the Methodist Church

on the corner of Hampton Road and Stanley Road. Immediately after the explosion “Matt” started to

cross the road back to his lodgings at No. 63 to make sure Mrs Ridge was alright, but was struck

by a piece of shrapnel from the bomb, killing him instantly.

He was originally buried in the Brookwood Military Cemetery, Brookwood, Surrey but was repatriated

and buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minnesota, USA on 10th January 1949.

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