With some consistent performances, Maurice Matthews of the Mansfield (Highgate) Rifle Club, London, won a gold and a silver medal at the 1908 Olympics, placed fourth in the small-bore rifle individual event, and ninth in the small-bore rifle disappearing target competition. As Matthews always felt that his showing in team events was inferior to his form in individual competition he tried to withdraw from the small-bore team event but his opinion was overruled by the selection committee, whose decision was vindicated when Matthews made the highest individual score of the team.
Matthews was an estate agent, valuer, surveyor, and architect based in London’s Tottenham Court Road. He served as an officer with the Territorial Army and rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the 1st City of London Regiment. He was also a Deputy Lieutenant and Justice of the Peace for the County of London. As a politician he served on the London County Council from 1931-36. In 1948 he was honoured by being appointed the Renter Warden of the Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers, one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. He was also a former chairman of the London Trustees Savings Bank and in 1955 was appointed the vice-president of the Trustees Savings Bank Association. Matthews was awarded the OBE in the 1953 New Year’s Honours List. He died in 1957, one day short of his 77th birthday.
Great Britain