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His next posting was on the 24th October, (redacted 1944) to No. 84 Group Support Unit, Thruxton, Hampshire, and on the 2nd November (redacted 1944) he was posted to No. 485 (N.Z.) Squadron, then at Fairwood Common, Glamorganshire, Wales, and later at Maldegum, Belgium. While at this latter station he took part in sixten operational flights comprising four low level attacks on enemy objectives, these armed reconnaissance flights, one fighter sweep and eight flights affording cover to bombers.

On 6th January, 1945 Pilot Officer Matthews was pilot of a Spitfire fighter returning from an armed reconnaissance over the West Holland area which crashed in Allied territory, Pilot Officer Matthews receiving injuries from which he died. He was buried on the 9th January in the PRINCEN HAGEN Cemetery, near BREDA, Holland. Subsequent to the cessation of hostilities he was re-interred in the British Military Cemetery, BERGEN-OP-ZOOM, Holland.

Find a Grave link with photo of deceased: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12727333/francis-charles-matthews

5/2/16973 AS2
587 hours as Pilot.

Mrs. H.F. Matthews (Mother), (right aligned)
15 David Street, (right aligned)
PALMERSTON NORTH. (right aligned)