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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment
Mstr. Ernest Mason
Merchant Marine SS City of Brisbane
(d.45 Queensway, Liskard, Cheshire)
My father became a wireless telegraphist with the Merchant Marine in 1918. His first posting was to the Ellerman Line’s SS City of Brisbane (reg no 140561). Her maiden voyage was from London Tilbury, commenced 10 June 1918, to Plymouth arr 12 June; dep Plymouth 14 June for Boston, Mass, USA, arr June 24; dep Boston 8 July for Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, arr 10 July; dep for London 11 July, arr 23 July 23 1918. I was able to obtain these details from the ship’s log book at the Maritime Museum in Newfoundland. The log book lists Ship’s Master Ernest Mason and most of the crew. The Museum did not have the ship's log belonging to the second voyage, destination Buenos Aires, when she was torpedoed off Newhaven, Sussex on 13th of August 1918. All the crew survived, reaching shore by lifeboats.
I recently obtained from the National Archive a copy of a chart showing the site where the City of Canberra's wreck is located, and a file released by the Air Historical Branch Air Ministry only in 1967, but kept closed until 1969. The ship was originally identified as the SS Lincoln, but then altered by hand to the SS City of Brisbane (Battery Commander Report of 13.08.1918 relating to the Newhaven Garrison, of action taken at the time) The Fire Commander (Maj. Playfair, RGA) of the 10th Kent and Sussex Fire Command stated that as no submarine had appeared active at the time in the vicinity, it was not certain whether the ship had been torpedoed or had struck a mine
Later, it was confirmed that the SMS UB 57 had torpedoed the ship. The submarine was commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Johannes Lohs, and was heading back to base at Zeebrugge when contact was lost on 14 August 1918. It was believed to have hit a mine, and all 34 of her crew were lost. Before he became a submariner, it seems that Johann Lohs had also been a radio operator.
This year (2019), I found the details for the UB-57 on Wikipedia, and what had happened. I think these details became available only in 2014, because when I tried researching in 2005 there was little information. If you require any reference numbers relevant to any of the documents I have referred to, let me know. The chart is a rough sketch that determines the wreck’s position by using a buoy known to have been anchored to the shore battery on the cliff, and by sightings from the battery’s gun emplacement. The lifeboats had started leaving the ship at 5:35 pm, and Torpedo Boat 14 left Newhaven Harbour at 5:40 pm. At 5:52 pm, a depth charge was dropped by the trawler Rye, presumably after the City of Brisbane's crew had told them they had been torpedoed. More depth charges were dropped between that time and 6:30 pm by trawlers and P-Type torpedo boats (REF: AIR 1/562/16/15/67 RC 1644035). The wreck was visited by a diving team (Scuba Diving UK Scuba Steve). I forwarded what brief details I knew to them, but they were unable to dive again on the 100th anniversary of the event due to unfavourable conditions in the English Channel. As yet, the missing log book has not been located, but it may have been lodged with the Board of Inquiry held after the sinking. I wondered what cargo had been lost, but no one seems able to supply any details.
Ship’s Master Ernest Mason died in 1963, my father died in 1955, and no one seems to be researching the Mason family, although I was able to find he had married Louisa Mary Shuttlebotham Hess at Birkenhead, Cheshire, in 1909. He was born at Egremont, Cheshire in 1870, and his home address in 1918 was given as 45 Queensway, Liskard, Cheshire.
Pte. Frank Mason
British Army 1st/6th Battalion Manchester Regiment
from:3 Eltham Street, Levenshulme, Manchester
(d.14th Jul 1918)
Frank Mason died age 24. He is buried in Bertrancourt Military Cemetery.
Spr. Frederick Sidney Mason
British Army 257th Tunneling Company Royal Engineers
from:St Johns Wood, London
Pte. George Mason MM
British Army 1/7th Btn. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
(d.14th December 1917)
Pte. George Albert Mason
British Army 1st Btn. Herefordshire Regiment
from:Hawthorn Cottage, Avenbury, Hereford
(d.6th November 1917)
I only know that my grandfather's body lies in Beersheba War Cemetery. It would never have been visited by any family, as my father was his only child and he did not know any details of George's army life, only that he died in WW1. It appears that George Mason went to war when his wife was pregnant with my father, but I am unable to ascertain whether he even knew she was pregnant when he left. I cannot find out when he left Hereford. He was killed in the Battle of Beersheba.
Pte. George Henry Mason
British Army 12th (Bermondsey) Battalion East Surrey Regiment
from:London
My paternal grandfather George Mason enlisted on 25th October 1915 and underwent training ready for deployment to France. It seems he was medically discharged in January 1916 just before the battalion travelled to France in May 1916 and so never saw active service. I'm proud of him for enlisting and undergoing his training I have been informed that he was keen to fight for his country. Sadly there is no record of him after the date of 1919 when my father was born and so sadly I do not know when he died. I am currently researching my paternal ancestry and especially military history as my father served in the Second World War and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his bravery.
George Mason
Royal Navy HMS Pembroke
from:London
I have an old photo of my granddad, George Mason. He was born in 1896 and married to Polly Mason (nee Clift). They lived in the East End of London. They had 4 children, George, Benjamin, Grace and Charles (the latter was my dad). I'm completing a family tree and realised the photo I have, has him in naval uniform with HMS Pembroke around his hat. I would just like him to be remembered and if there is any more information anyone could provide me, I would be so grateful.
2/Lt George Sowersby Mason
British Army 2nd Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment
from:Pickering, North Yorkshire
(d.8th October 1918)
Born in Pickering in 1892. In 1911 he lived at 1 Castlegate in Pickering working as a Grocer's Apprentice in his father's grocery store.
Enlisted in 1914 as 3180 Pte. Mason in Royal Field Artillery, later transferring as 27257 Pte. Mason in East Yorkshire Regiment before transferring as 77714 Cpl. Mason in Durham Light Infantry. Promoted to temporary 2nd Lieutenant in York and Lancaster Regiment.
He being killed in action on 8th October 1918. He is buried at Montbrehain, Aisne, Picardie, France. The inscription on his CWGC headstone reads "A loving husband, an affectionate son, a true friend".
George Sowersby Mason was killed before his daughter, Georgina Mary Mason, was born on 28th December 1918.
Bugler H Mason
This is an entry in a nurse's autograph book which I came across lately. It is dated 23rd November 1915 in East Leeds Military Hospital
Pte. Hambleton Mason
British Army 8th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
from:Birkenhead, Cheshire
(d.16th August 1917)
Spr. Henry Mason
British Army 42nd AT Coy Royal Engineers
from:Broseley
Henry Mason enlisted in Shrewsbury on 1st April 1915. At that time he was 38 and worked at the local tile works. He was married with 1 daughter (a son was born in May 1915) and living in Hockley Bank, Broseley. He was noted as a Proficient Carpenter and (I believe) served with the RE until the end of the war. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
I'm his great grand-daughter and am trying to find out more about him as have no living relatives who remember him.
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.
Pte. Henry Mason
British Army 9th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
from:50 Bentham Street, Belfast
(d.10th May 1916)
Pte. James Mason
British Army 8th Battalion South Staffordshire
from:Tipton, Lancs
(d.19th December 1915)
James Mason enlisted 4th Sept 1915 in the 8th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. He died at dressing station South Ypres on 19/12/1915. Cause of death not known, but this was the day that the Germans first used phosgene gas.
Pte. John Mason
British Army 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
from:Jarrow
(d.11th Aug 1915)
John Mason aged 23 was serving with the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers when he died on 11th August 1915. Born in Jarrow in 1892, he was the son of John and Mary Mason (nee Shorting). On the 1911 census he is recorded as John Mason age 19 General Labourer in Shipyard living with his parents ohn and Mary Mason and family at 288 High Street, Jarrow. He enlisted in Jarrow with the DLI.
John is buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery.
Pte. John Joseph Mason
British Army 23rd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers
from:Jarrow
(d.1st Jul 1916)
John Joseph Mason served with the 23rd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers. He was aged 20 when he died on 1st July 1916. Born in Jarrow in 1896 son of John George and Sarah Mason (nee Smith). On the 1911 census he is recorded as John Joseph Mason age 14 Shoemakers Errand Boy living with his parents John George and Sarah Mason and family at 33 Albert Road, Jarrow. John lived and enlisted Newcastle, he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on a Scroll with 3 names at the Baptist Church in Jarrow.
Pte. John William Mason
British Army 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
from:Jarrow
(d.25th Sep 1915)
John William Mason served with the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, he died on 25th September 1915. Born in Jarrow, he enlisted in teh town.
John is remembered on the Loos Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.
Pte. John Edward Mason
British Army 1/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment
from:Tenbury Wells
(d.9th Aug 1918)
Pte. John William Mason
British Army 1st Battalion Yorks and Lancs Regiment
from:Sheffield
(d.30th Sep 1915)
John Mason's parents were Henry and Alice (Shaw) Mason
Pte John Mason
British Army 5th Battalion Connaught Rangers
from:Cork, Ireland
John Mason was one of seven children in his family from Blackpool in County Cork, Ireland.
He fought in the First World War, only to die in February 1919 from the Spanish Flu
Pte John Edward Mason
British Army 1/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment
from:Lindridge, Worcestershire
(d.9th August 1918)
John Mason (known as Jack) was in the Worcestershire Regiment. He was an enlisted soldier prior to the outbreak of war in 1914. His allocated regimental number in 1914 was 4833, he was discharged from the army by a doctor in 1914 but then re-enlisted into the 1st/8th Battalion of the Worcesters. He lost his life in Italy near to Val Di Portule on the WW1 Italian Front on Friday 9th August 1918 aged 27 years and is buried at Barenthal Military Cemetery. He was my great uncle and brother of my great granny,
PO. John "Fred" Mason
Merchant Navy SS Araguaya
from:Southampton
John Mason, commonly known to everyone as "Fred", ran away to sea at the age of 15. He served as a coal trimmer on the SS Araguaya. He served on The Mauretania and Almanzora during peace time. He became a fireman and greaser and worked his way up to becoming a Petty Officer on the Watson Ferris, Empress of Britain, Empress of Russia and Neverita during World War 2.
A story that my father told me was that on the outbreak of the Second World War, my dad and his father were on their dairy cart on a delivery in Southampton when Fred told his son, "Nip (that was my dad's nickname), I've decided to go back to sea, I'm telling you first because you know how much your mother will nag me about it". Fred would rather face being torpedoed and sunk than facing his wife!!
The Watson Ferris was sunk by a U-Boat, John was 7 days at sea. Empress of Britain was torpedoed on 28 October 1940 by U-32, 10 days at sea and eventually towed 200 miles towards Ireland by another U-Boat. Empress of Russia, served on the K17 Russian convoy. The ship blew up mysteriously in dry dock. MV Neverita, a tanker, thankfully the only ship he was on in WW2 that was never sunk. John sailed on the Mauretania during peacetime.
L/Cpl. Joseph Mason
British Army 2nd/6th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment
from:Bradford
(d.16th Mar 1917)
Joseph Mason was my Great Grandfather. He left behind a pregnant wife and baby daughter
Sgt. Leonard Mason MM.
British Army 1/5th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
from:Bolton
Leonard Mason was my grandfather and I remember when I was a little girl how I used to sit and polish his medals. I remember on Remembrance Sunday we would walk down to The Cenotaph in Bolton, him wearing his medals and holding my hand, for the Service of Remembrance. He was born on 27th March 1893 at Flitcroft Street, Bolton, son of Thomas and Sarah Ann Mason. He had five siblings, Florence b. 1889, John b. 1891, Samuel b.1895, Julia b. 1897 and Robert b. 1905.
He enlisted on 9th November 1914 and sailed on The Tintoretto to France on 12th February 1915 and landed the following day. Whilst in France he was promoted to Sergeant. On 14th January 1918 his name was gazetted as having been awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the Field. This award was for his actions at The Battle of Menin Road Ridge (20 – 23 September), part of The Third Battle of Ypres 1917. At some point after being awarded the Military Medal, he was wounded and I have vivid memories of all the marks on his legs made by bullets. He was honourably discharged from the Army on 8th March 1919 and given the Silver War Badge number 450937.
Leonard married Annie Shuttleworth on 29th June 1918 at St Simon & Judes Church, Bolton. They had three children 2 boys and 1 girl. Sadly the two boys died in infancy but the one girl was my mother. My granddad Leonard Mason died on 3rd February 1969 at home in Bolton but I have wonderful memories of him and still miss him to this day.
Leonard Masons Medal Card
Leonard "Jock" Mason
British Army Royal Horse Artillery
Leonard Mason served with the Royal Horse Artillery.
Gunner Miles Farrar Hemming Mason
British Army 40th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
from:Warwickshire
(d.15th Sept 1916)
Pte R E, A Mason
British Army 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers
(d.3rd Sep 1917)
Mason, R, E, A. Private, 19/931, Died of wounds on 3rd September 1917.
Buried in Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, in grave I. F. 3.
From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.
Pte. R. Mason
British Army 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
from:Dipton
R Mason was wounded in July 1916
Sgt. Reginald John Mason MM.
British Army 12th (Rangers) Btn. London Regiment
Reginald Mason served with the 12th Btn. London Regiment.
Pte. Samuel Mason
British Army 13th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers
from:Birkenhead
Samuel Mason is my grandfather. We know little of his war service, he was on the wounded casualty list dated 11/6/1918, thankfully he survived the war.
Page 23 of 102
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