Mathew was born in 1779. He was 5 foot 6 inches tall, blue eyes and light brown hair.  He enlisted into the 52nd Foot on 14th August 1799 aged 23 years and he was a labourer by trade.  He served in the Peninsular War of 1808-1814 and was wounded in the right hand and right side whilst with the 52nd Regiment.  Mathew married Ann Depo on 3rd June 1801 in Kent and they had a son William.   He was transferred to the 45th Foot Regiment on 25th May 1812 when aged 32 years.   Mathew was discharged at Belfast on 24th March 1815 and granted pension at Chelsea on 12th May 1815