WW1 Lance Sergeant William Mason 25/207

William Mason was born 18 July 1882 to Ellen and William Mason of Auckland. Will was 33 years old and living at Bonny Glen, Hamilton and working as a baker for L W Faville in Hamilton, when he enlisted on 13 October 1915.

He listed his next of kin as his father William Mason of Mercer and his stepmother Mrs Elizabeth A Mason of Maurice (now Mauranui) Street, Remuera. He had attended Remuera School and served in the Boer War with the South African Light Horse. He was posted as a Rifleman to the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 3rd Battalion, A Company. His younger brother Reg(inald) also served as a Rifleman in WW1.

William left Wellington on 5 February 1916 for Suez and France. He was promoted from Rifleman to Lance Sergeant through 1916 and 1917 while with the 3rd Company 3rd Battalion, N Z Rifle Brigade. He was wounded in action at the battle for the Somme on 15 September 1916 and admitted to No. 25 General Hospital, Hardelot; he recovered and returned to Etaples Base Camp on 13 October 1916. [1] However on 21 March 1918 there was a major crisis for the British Expeditionary Force in northern France when the Germans tore a large hole in the Western Front Line and the New Zealanders were thrown into the gap to try and stop the enemy. Fighting on the old 1916 battlefield of the Somme, they managed to blunt the offensive. [2]

However William was killed in action on 29 March 1918. He is buried at the Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps, Somme, France V. I. 10. He is remembered at memorials:

• Hamilton Memorial Park, Memorial Drive, Hamilton East, 3339 AWMM

• Remuera Primary School World War One Gates 1914-1918, 25 Dromorne Rd

MASON. Private Reginald W. Mason, reported wounded, is the youngest son of Mr William Mason, of Epsom. He was born in Remuera and educated at the Remuera public school and the Auckland Technical School. He is 20 years of age and was a cheesemaker, employed at the Bruntwood Cheese Factory, previous to enlisting. His eldest brother, Lance-Corporal William Mason, has also been wounded recently. [3]

MASON. On March 29. 1918 killed in action in France. Lance-Sergeant William Mason Third Battalion. N.Z. Rifle Brigade, beloved eldest son of the late William Mason, Mamie Street. Remuera: aged 35 years. [4]