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On the 31st March, 1941, he was posted to No. 115 Squadron, Marham, Norfolk. From this base he carried out further operational raids on targets in Germany, including Kiel, Bremen, Hamburg an Emden, and also Brest and Lorient in France. In all he carried out a total of 25 operational raids over enemy territory.

On the morning of the 7th July, 1941, a S.O.S. was received from the Wellington of which Sergeant Matthews was the pilot, stating that he was preparing to make a forced landing on the sea. Although an extensive search by motor launch and aircraft was carried out no trace of him or his crew could be found. Subsequently Sgt. Matthews and the rest of the crew were classified as missing. It was later reported by the International Red Cross that Sgt. Matthews had been washed ashore on the island of Schiermonnikoog, Holland, and that he is buried in the Schiermonnikoog Cemetery. His death has presumed to have occurred on that date.

Find a Grave link with photo of deceased: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13850111/oswald-arthur-matthews

18/1/1649
433 hours.

Mr. E.R. Matthews (F) (right aligned)
87 Beauchamp Street, (right aligned)
Karori, WELLINGTON. (right aligned & city underlined)