David Mattiske: Gold Coast World War II Pacific Theatre veteran dead at 96
Tributes are flowing for a beloved World War II veteran from the Gold Coast who has died, leaving behind an incredible legacy of “peace and forgiveness”.
Central
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DAVID Mattiske was just 18-years-old when he signed up for the navy to serve his country in World War II.
It was a mission that would last the rest of his life.
The Southport resident, who was one of the Gold Coast’s best-known World War II veterans, has died of natural causes at age 96.
Mr Mattiske will be laid to rest on Thursday at a 1pm ceremony at Trinity Lutheran Church Southport.
Southport RSL Sub Branch deputy president Ken Orr paid tribute to his friend as one of the last of a dying breed.
“David served his country and served veterans extensively over the years and I was so inspired myself to see someone in their 90s so keen and taking an active role in promoting and improving military commemorative ties with the Philippines,” he said.
“It was quite remarkable what he achieved and his decision to enlist in the war when he did and knowing what he was going to face was courageous.
“He wanted to foster peace and forgiveness, which is quite something and always thought of the big picture and the people around him.”
Born in 1925, Mr Mattiske enlisted at age 18 and served in the Pacific aboard HMAS Shropshire during more than 15 battles, including the Battle of Surigao Strait, Leyte Gulf and Lingayen Gulf before witnessing the end of the war in September, 1945.
“We celebrated the end of the war with ice-cold Japanese beer and sandwiches at the former British embassy after attending the ceremony with Vice-Admiral Lord Fraser and US General Douglas MacArthur,’’ he told the Bulletin in 2011.
The Battle of Surigao Strait in the Philippines was the last time in history battleships fought in an all-out gun duel.
In 2000, following his retirement, he wrote a book about his experiences – Fire Across the Pacific.
A quote from a speech made by Mr Mattiske during his 2018 visit to the Philippines Museum dedicated to commemorating the the Battle of Surigao Strait is emblazoned on a remembrance wall.
It reads: “Let us pray that we never have another world war.”
In recent decades he was a fixture of Anzac Day and Remembrance Day commemorations and received the Order of Australia Medal in January 2021.
Typically humble, Mr Mattiske said: “It’s a great honour. I’m not so sure it’s all that deserved, to be quite honest,” he said. “I’ve just done my bit for the country the best I can during my life.”
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