Matthew Baird was one of ten children, born on 15 October 1879 at Mt Blowhard, Victoria to Scottish parents Robert and Agnes (nee McKerrow). He attended the Learmonth Primary School and University College, Ballarat. He was a 36 year old barrister and solicitor, married to Ruby, when he signed on with the AIF on April 3rd 1915. He had previously served in South Africa with the 4th Victorian Contingent and attained the rank of Captain. He embarked aboard the Euripides on May 10th and joined the 23rd Battalion at Gallipoli in late August. Because of declining health he was withdrawn from Gallipoli on December 16th, just four days before the famous evacuation from Anzac was completed. He was hospitalised on Lemnos first with asthma and rheumatism then in January 1916 with nephritis. It was decided that he should return to Australia, which he did on the Hospital Ship Kanowna, leaving Suez on January 28th 1916. He died in January 1930 aged 50.