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Pte. Henry Mason MM.
British Army 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards
from:38A Cherry Tree Terrace, Wheatley Lane, Fence, Burnley
(d.17th Jan 1918)
My grandfather Henry Mason joined up aged 30 in November 1914 at Nelson, Lancashire. He was married, with five children aged under 7, and was inducted for training at Caterham shortly after his enlistment. He was posted to France on June 11th 1915.
He was killed aged 33 (died of wounds) following a gas attack. I am unaware of which battles he took part in although I have found a record, in the company diary, of an engagement on the date he lost his life which I assume relates to this attack. The location of the death is recorded as Fampoux some 3 1/2 miles west of Arras. He is buried in the Level Crossing Cemetery at Railway Crossing, Fampoux, which I have visited. I always assumed his MM was awarded for some action he took over this incident. However, earlier this year having contacted a local history society, in Burnley, they were able to supply a newspaper cutting of an interview with his widow (my grandmother) which indicated it was for some other action whilst in temporary charge of a patrol at the end of 1917. Unfortunately I have no other details. I have photographs of my grandfather in dress uniform and with a group of other volunteers at a training venue.
Editor's Note:- Private Mason was born in Manchester in 1884, the son of Henry and Isabella Mason, of Darwen, Lancashire, and the husband of Kezia Mason, of 38A Cherry Tree Terrace, Wheatley Lane, Fence, Burnley. A veteran of the Battle of Loos in 1915, the Somme in 1916 and the 3rd Battle of Ypres and Cambrai in 1917, he died of gas poisoning in a field ambulance near Fampoux. At the time of his death, news had just been received that he was to be awarded the Military Medal for actions near Cambrai on December 1st 1917.
