| Regimental number | 2388 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Forest Range, South Australia |
| School | State School, South Australia |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Gardener |
| Address | Forest Range, South Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 20 |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Fanny Mason, Forest Range, South Australia |
| Previous military service | Served 6 months in the Senior Cadets: 79th Infantry; 2 years in the 79th Infantry, Citizen Military Forces. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 27th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/44/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 27th Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal 'Work near Peronne on 2 September 1918.' Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | France |
| Age at death | 23.7 |
| Place of burial | Bellicourt British Cemetery (Plot IV, Row N, Grave No. 7), France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 111 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: George Albert and Fanny MASON, Forest Range, South Australia |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'During the attack S. of ALLAINES N.E> of Peronne, on the morning of 2 September 1918, this soldier singlehanded attacked and after a severe bomb fight succeeded in driving a party of the enemy from a trench, killing several and putting the remainder to flight. This operation allowed his Company to regain touch with the Battalion. Pte Mason showed conspicuous gallantry in this effort, and an utter disregard for personal safety.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115 Date: |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Taken on strength, 27th Bn, Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt, 12 January 1916. Admitted to 7th Field Ambulance, Ismailia, 22 February 1916; transferred to 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital. Abbassia, 25 February, 25 February 1916. Discharged to Overseas Base, Ghezirah after 24 days' treatment for venereal disease. Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 1 June 1916. Admitted to 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford, England, 23 January 1917; discharged to depot, 17 May 1917; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 115 days (forfeited 115 days' pay at 5/- per day = 27 pounds 5 shillings. Proceeded overseas to France, 9 October 1917; rejoined Bn in Belgium, 14 October 1917. Appointed Lance Corporal, 1 September 1918; Corporal, 13 September 1918. On leave to England, 10 September 1918; rejoined unit, 1 October 1918. Killed in action, 3 October 1918. After the war, when claiming his accumulated pay, his mother disputed the withholding of 27 pounds five shillings, which she mistakely thought had been charged for an operation (letter to Base Records, Melbourne, 25 November 1920) Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
