MATTHEW JOHN DAVIES JR. was born on January 6, 1932 in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania to Mary B. and Matthew Davies. By 1947 the family had moved to Camden, where they lived at 942 Pearl Street. The elder Davies worked as a buffer. The Davies family maintained a presence at the Pearl Street address as late as 1980.

Matthew J. Davies was was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on November 23, 1956 and reported for duty at Engine Company 11 on the December 1. He was promoted to Captain on August 16, 1963 and to Battalion Chief on December 31, 1968.

Matthew Davies retired from the Camden Fire Department on December 1, 1981. His father had moved to the Williamstown area and died on August 29, 1993. Last a resident of Maple Shade New Jersey, Matthew J. Davies died on January 7, 1994.