On 7 June 1971, Old Boy Ian Mathers '65 was one of three Australians killed in action in Long Khanh, Vietnam. Ian was a Flight Sergeant in the Air Training Corps at school. He was then a national serviceman. After graduating as a second Lieutenant from the National Service officers' course in 1970, he was posted to Vietnam with the 12 Field Regiment.
On the 50th anniversary of his death, former BGS Headmaster Brian Short (BGS First XI 1965) paid tribute to Ian Mathers:
I proudly remember Ian Mathers as a fellow member of Form VI at Brisbane Grammar in 1965. The diversity and quality of both his abilities and contribution inspire admiration. Generations before the phrase 'a Grammar man' entered into our common parlance, Ian's qualities of intelligence, integrity, humility, service and loyalty could well have provided an ideal template.
I knew Ian well as scorer for the First XI and linesman for the First XV. Having a schoolboy as scorer for the First XI is a wonderful Brisbane Grammar School tradition. A cricket scorer is a unique position: at various times team-member and amateur psychologist but ultimately the final arbiter of both the individual and team performance. Ian performed the challenging role with warmth and precision, such a difficult but special blend to achieve. The First XI celebrated its undefeated premiership at a special 50-year reunion in 2015, and all the players fondly reminisced about our sadly absent friend and scorer.
In retrospect, Ian's role as First XV linesman was an immensely challenging and complex one. There were far fewer opportunities in 1965 for students to represent their school. The consequence was disproportionate attention and importance being attached to what were then the major sports. GPS Rugby was a very tribal and passionate affair in these times. As a 17-year-old schoolboy, Ian was occasionally subjected to considerable close-range advice from BGS supporters and not always constructive criticism from our opponents. Through all this turbulence, Ian remained calm, effective and even-handed. His maturity and integrity were well beyond his years.
Our generation grew up in the shadow of the Vietnam War and the introduction of national service. The loss of Ian in Vietnam in the military service of his nation was a tragedy not only for his family and friends but for a world denied the benefits of what would assuredly have been a rich life of achievement and service.
Ian Mathers was our first national serviceman and our last Old Boy to die on active service. A commemorative plaque to him is in the Great Hall. The inscription contains the final line of Wilfred Owen's poem Asleep: 'he sleeps less tremulous, less cold'.
Source: Grammar News 2021.
Source: Grammar News 2021.