MATTHEWS Francis (Frank) Joseph

Name	Francis (Frank) Joseph MATTHEWS
Country Of Origin	Australia
Born	1892
Died	1986
Birth/ Baptism	Born 16 December 1892, Latrobe
Parents	John Godfrey and Margaretta Matthews (formerly Seidel)
Apprenticeship	With his father
Skills	Watchmaker, Jeweller
Work Locations	Stanley, Latrobe, Devonport
Street Address	Church Street, Stanley 21 Rooke Street, Devonport
Marriage/Spouse	8 May 1922, Carmelite Church, Middle Park, Melbourne, Victoria, to Helena Frances Potter
Other	Known as Frank. Other skills: Orchardist. Pre 1914: Employed by Basse, Vice-Regal Jewellers, Adelaide, South Australia. December 1914: Opened business in Stanley and advertised clock, watch, and jewellery repairs, plus an extensive range of electro-plated ware, jewellery, clocks, and watches. August 1915: Volunteered for active service overseas and advised customers could collect repairs on receipt of payment at Lean & Smith’s. September 1919: Returned home from overseas after over four years of active service. October 1920: Frank purchased the Latrobe watchmaking and jewellery business from his father with plans to extend and enlarge. Advertising mentioned his modern engraving, jewellery, and repair skills. February 1934: Opened business, Rooke Street, Devonport. April 1942: Enlisted for war service. Employed watchmaker Edgar Hyland, previously of Hobart, until 1945. 1964-1965: Advertised as F J Matthews & Sons Pty Ltd, Devonport. Son Brian and grandsons Jeff and Chris became watchmakers and jewellers and worked in the family business. 2012: The business was sold after several generations of ownership by the Matthews family.
Death	19 September 1986, Devonport
References
TAHO: RGD33/1/76 no1432 Birth 1892 [Francis Aloysius Matthews], AD960/1/198 1987. Web: National Archives of Australia, Series B884, Service No. T29784. Circular Head Chronicle 16 December 1914, 18 August 1915, 25 August 1915; Advocate 13 August 1919, 30 October 1920, 7 July 1934, 16 October 1945, 22 February 1972, 6 February 2012; Argus 12 May 1922; The Examiner (Launceston) 15 February 1938; King Island News 20 October 1965.