Roland Clyne Mathews was born in East Melbourne on 26 January, 1893 to Francis Herbert Seymour Mathews and Margaret Mathews (nee Hudson). He grew up in Brighton Beach and was living there when he enlisted on 2 February, 1915, aged almost 22 years, occupation as a purser.

With his unit the 6th Field Ambulance, Section A, he embarked from Melbourne on board the HMAT A31 Ajana on 4 June, 1915. He first arrived at Gallipoli on 30 August, 1915. In November 1915 he became ill with Scabies ans was admitted to the 1st Casualty Clearing Station at Gallipoli, then trandferred to the hospital ship H.S Galeka, on which he was transfered to Malta and admitted to the Spinola Hospital. By December he was considered not fit for active service and served in the Convalescent Camp in Malta. He returned to Alexandria and embarked on the City of Eden to join the BEF at the Western Front. Roland reamined with the 6th AFS in France until he was hospitalised in May 1918 for severaweeks. In December 1918 he was hospitalised with influenza for a week. Early January, 1919, Roland returned to the UK from France and transferred to the AAMC headquarters where he remained until he returned to Australia on 19 February, 1919 on the 'Orca'. He worked with the nursing staff during this voyage, returning home on 7 April, 1919. 

Upon his return, Roland resided back wher he lived in 1915 in Brighton Beach. He married Besse Rebecca Farmer around 1920 andhad two sons, Francis Herbert born in 1923,and Ian Charles born in 1925. Roland became a clrk then accountant npractised his professional until the 1950's. His wife Bssie dies in 1955. By 1968 Roland was residing at the War Veterans Home in Franksto. B 1972 he hadmovd north to Tweed Heads, where he passed away on 3 November, 1976.

His son Francis was served in WW2 as a Warrant Officer in the RAAF. He was killed in active service on 20th December, 1944 aged 21 years. His name can be found on the Roll of Honour at Ambon Cemetery, PNG.