John Mason

Name:

John "Jack" Mason

Country:

England

Rank:

Sergeant

Service:

Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force

Unit:

Victories:

Born:

25 June 1896

Place of Birth:

Everton, Liverpool, Lancashire, England

Died:

December 1967 or January 1968

Place of Death:

Londonderry, Northern Ireland

The son of John Mason, John "Jack" Mason was a clerk at Elder, Dempster & Co., Ltd., of Everton, from 30 June 1910 to 11 September 1914. He enlisted in the Army on 12 September 1917 and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 14 September 1917. Mason spoke of the war to his son only once, telling him that he was in the Battle of the Somme and that he volunteered for the RFC because he knew if he survived the day, he would get to sleep in a clean bed each night. Beginning with the rank of Air Mechanic, Second Class on 14 September 1917, Mason was promoted to Corporal on 21 September 1917, and Sergeant on 23 November 1917. He served with 3rd Brigade, R.D., 86 Training Squadron, and 11 Squadron as an observer. His Military Medal was gazetted on 19 November 1917 (30389/11969). As an Air Cadet he completed training as a pilot in 1918 and received Royal Aero Club Certificate 6573 on an Avro biplane at Military School, Ruislip. Mason survived the war and was demobilized to the RAF Reserve on 28 February 1919. Serving again during the Second World War, Mason was posted to Londonderry, Northern Ireland, with a position having to do with the North Atlantic Fleet. He settled in Londonderry, was married, and lived there until his death. His son says he died in December 1967 or January 1968.

Notes provided by josquin

AIR 76/338/35

Great Britain, Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificates, 1910-1950

Victories

	Date	Time	Unit	Aircraft	Opponent	Location
1	08 Jun 1917	1900	11	Bristol F.2b (A7143) ¹	Albatros D.III (OOC)	Bohain
2	14 Aug 1917	1315	11	Bristol F.2b (A7124) ²	Albatros D.V (OOC)	Brebières
3	21 Oct 1917	1045	11	Bristol F.2b (A7124) ²	Albatros D.V (DESF)	Boiry
4	21 Oct 1917	1048	11	Bristol F.2b (A7124) ²	Albatros D.V (OOC)	Lecluse
5	21 Oct 1917	1048	11	Bristol F.2b (A7124) ²	Albatros D.V (DES)	Lecluse

1	Pilot Capt Richard Raymond-Barker
2	Pilot Lt Ronald Mauduit