Born in Ballarat, (Alexander) Martin Mathews was a single 22 year old farmer at the time of his enlistment on the 18th of July 1915 in his birth town. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Anchises on the 26th of August 1915.
On the 3rd of July 1916, Martin was wounded in action with gunshot wounds to his right leg. He embarked for England on the same day, and on the 9th of July 1916 was admitted to the West Bridgford Military Hospital in Nottinghamshire, England with an amputated right leg. On the 20th of October 1916, Martin was transferred to the 1st Auxiliary Hospital.
He returned to Australia on the 13th of November 1917 and was discharged as medically unfit on the 16th of January 1918.
Martin married Gertrude Dobson on 5 August 1922 and the couple made their home at Burrumbeet. Martin was a storekeeper at the time of his marriage and successfully applied through the Discharged Soldiers Settlements Acts 1917 for land with the intention of sheep farming.
Alexander Martin Mathews, grazier died on 15 March 1977 at Burrumbeet, Victoria.

His sister (Jessie) May also served in the AIF and is honoured with a tree in the Avenue.

Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his name as Martin Matthews