MATTSON, B A

Display Number:  1610  
Name:  Mattson  Barndt August
Rank:  Petty Officer Stoker Service Number:  T/124
Date Joined:  22 August 1940 Date Discharged:  Died on active service 14 May 1941 aged 29

Barndt Mattson was born 11 April 1912 in New Zealand.

Before the outbreak of World War Two, Mattson was a merchant seaman.  He joined the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy as a Reservist in 1940. His first role was as an Oil Burner before becoming a Stoker in 1941. Mattson was one of five crew lost at sea when HMS PURIRI struck a mine off Bream Head, Hauraki Gulf.  PURIRI was a mine sweeper sailing with the 25th Minesweeping Flotilla and was the only naval loss in New Zealand waters during World War Two.

Mattson’s memorial cross was turned into a brooch and worn by his mother.

 
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Medal Description (Left to Right):  
  • Memorial Cross - Originally granted to the next-of-kin of persons who had lost their lives on active service with the New Zealand forces during the Second World War, or who had subsequently died of wounds or illness contracted during that conflict.