Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Zarah Mason, a stone quarry worker, born 1857 in Shepshed, Leicestershire (son of Henry Mason and Mary Pollard, 1822) and his wife Etty Mason (nee Rossell, married on the 1st June 1879 in the Church of St. James the Greater, Oaks in Charnwood, Leicestershire), born in the October quarter of 1857 in Shepshed (daughter of William Rossell, 1818-1888 and Mary Thurman, 1819-1893). Alick Howard was born in the April quarter of 1896 in Shepshed and baptised on the 11th May 1898 in St. Peter’s Church, Copt Oak, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Ernest, a stone quarry labourer, born in the October quarter of 1879 in Shepshed and baptised on the 4th July 1880 in the Church of St. James the Greater, Oaks in Charnwood, Albert, a blacksmith’s striker, born on the 22nd June 1884 in Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire and baptised on the 25th May 1884 in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Normanton Le Heath, Ambrose, born in the October quarter of 1888 in Chilcote, Leicestershire, Harold, born on the 22nd April 1891 and baptised on the 26th August 1894 in the Church of St. James the Greater, Oaks in Charnwood and Elsie Mary, born in the October quarter of 1893 and baptised on the 9th January 1894 in the Church of St. James the Greater, Oaks in Charnwood, the latter two siblings were born in Shepshed and Ruth Alethea Beatrice, born in the July quarter of 1898 and baptised on the 11th September 1898 in St. Peter’s Church, Copt Oak and Joseph Zarah, born in the October quarter of 1900 and baptised on the 2nd November 1902 in St. Peter’s Church, Copt Oak, the latter two siblings were both born in Charley, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at 1, Copt Oak Terrace, Charley. Alick’s mother died in the October quarter of 1907 in the Loughborough, Leicestershire district, aged 51 years. In April 1911 Alick was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Copt Oak Terrace, Charley, together with his widowed father, a stone quarry worker and his siblings, Harold, a stone quarry labourer, Elsie, a domestic worker, Ruth, a schoolgirl and Joseph, a schoolboy.
FAMILY NOTE: Alick’s mother was officially registered at birth as Etty Rossell, however she used the following names during her lifetime on various documents, Mehetabeh, Mehetabel, Mahalah, Mehilabel, Mehatable, Naomi and Hettie. Alick also had another older sibling, Alfred, born in the April quarter of 1886 in Normanton Le Heath and baptised on the 27th June 1886 in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Normanton Le Heath.
Alick enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 9th September 1914 in Coalville, and was allotted the regimental service number 14991. He gave his place of birth as Oaks, Whitwick, Coalville, Leicestershire and age as 18 years 158 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as farm labourer.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Coalville on the 9th September 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Oaks, Whitwick, Leicestershire, declared age as 18 years 158 days, trade or occupation as farm labourer, that he was 5-feet 7½ inches in height, weighed 118 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34 inches, his physical development was described as fair, his vision was described as R.E.-V=Normal L.E.-V=Normal. Enlisted at Coalville on the 9th September 1914. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 18 years 158 days, height 5-feet 7½ inches weight 118 lbs, chest measurement of between 32 and 34 inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recoded]. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 9th September 1914. Place Coalville.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Zarah Mason, brother Joseph Mason, sister Ruth Mason, Copt Oak Terrace, Markfield.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 9/9/14.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 9/9/14.
Posted. To 8th 9th (Service) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 24/9/14.
Embarked. 29/7/15.
Killed in action, Place not stated. In the Field. 3/2/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 9/9/14 – 28/7/15. 323 days.
France. 29/7/15 – 3/2/16. 190 days.
Total Service. 1 year 148 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
MILITARY NOTE: Although the service record indicates that Alick was serving with the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment at the time of his death, the War Diary for the 9th Battalion does not support any evidence that casualties occurred either in the days before, or on the date of his death.
The 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment War Diary which is reproduced, shows quite clearly that there were a number of casualties on the 3rd February 1916, the Graves Registration Unit return also confirms the number of casualties referred to in the War Diary as having occurred on the 3rd February 1916, and although Alick is recorded as serving with the 9th Battalion in the Cemetery return, my supposition is that he was either attached to, or had transferred to the 8th Battalion.
The War Diary records: 3 Feb-16 - 300 men for work parties. “D” Company in morning did Company platoon arm saluting drill, and practised fixing of smoke helmets. “D” Company in afternoon marched off with band to Divisional theatre. Men of “C” Company not on work parties fired on the range under Lieutenant WARNER. The same men practised the same work as “B” Company did in the morning. No. 16 platoon received grenade instruction in the morning and the new band was playing in the courtyard near canteen. The enemy heavily shelled the village for about ½ an hour, all troops and civilian inhabitants were ordered to caverns and caves. One shell fell and exploded near gateway of courtyard killing and wounding, several other men killed and wounded in other parts of the village. 20 were killed and 13 wounded. 3 of the latter died on admittance to Field Ambulance. 9 of the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT were killed in all, and 2 officers and 6 other ranks wounded. 1 ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS officer was killed, 7 other ranks of the ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY and 1 ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY. One civilian inhabitant was killed and one wounded. The Divisional Commander arrived in the village from the trenches shortly after the bombardment had ceased. Most parts of the village including the FRENCH quarter was shelled.
On Monday February 14th, 1916, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 7, under the heading. – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Mr. Albert Mason, Copt Oak, has been informed that his brother, ALEC HOWARD, 8th Leicester’s, has been killed in action in France. He was only 19 years of age, and enlisted about eight months ago. The deceased was one of the ringers at the Parish Church, and a muffled peal was rung to his memory on Sunday morning.
[recognitum XXXI-III-MMXXIII]

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Alick was born in 1897 at Whitwick and was educated in Coalville. Before the war he is recorded as living at Copt Oak.
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Submitted by F. Tilley in 2016


Coalville Times article - Friday February 18th, 1916

COPT OAK SOLDIER KILLED

Private Alec Howard Mason, aged 19, of the 8th Leicesters, has been killed in action. Pte. Chamberlain writes to the relatives: “All comrades and myself feel his departure from us keenly. He was such a good and faithful comrade, always willing to do anything”. He is the second ringer at the Parish Church to give his life for his country. A muffled peal was rung on Sunday to his memory. Mrs Mason has also received word that her brother has been admitted to hospital suffering from a bullet wound in the head.

Coalville Times article – Friday April 30th, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT COPT OAK CHURCH

WINDOW DECORATED BY THE BISHOP OF PETERBOROUGH

A large congregation was present at Copt Oak Church on Sunday morning to witness the dedication by the Bishop of Peterborough of a beautiful stained-glass window which has been placed in the church in memory of local men who gave their lives in the great war.

The window has three lights, the centre light being occupied by a warrior kneeling at the foot of Christ, with the inscription, “Faithful unto death, 1914 – 1918.” The following are the fallen who are commemorated:

E. Bowley, J. W. Brooks, J. H. Gibbins, H. Heggs, H. A. V. Hull, H. Hall, R. Irons, T. J. Kelham, A. H. Mason, G. H. Partner, P. B. Pearce, S. W. Richardson, H. Read, P. Tyers, S. A. Whyles and W. Wibberley.

Immediately preceding the service, a muffled peal was rung on the bells. The Rev. H. C. Gannell (vicar) took the first part of the service, which was fully choral, and the Rev. J. Martin, of Charley Hall, read the lessons. The special music rendered by the choir included the Te Deum (Hopkins) and the anthem, “Rejoice in the Lord” (Elvey). Mrs Gannell officiated at the organ, and at the close played the Dead March in “Saul.”

The Bishop, in his address from St. John, xx, 29, emphasised the power of the Resurrection, dealing with the introduction of Christianity into Britain, the progress made in Uganda, India and China. Instead of thinking of God as a kind of arch-magistrate seated on a distant star, we must think of one who is full of sympathy even for those whom many consider as beyond the pale. His Lordship continued, “We remember those gallant men who gave their lives in the war. They have cleared the way for a new Britain, a better Europe and a new world. Our task is to carry on, not to beat the Germans, but to form a truer fellowship, a lasting peace and goodwill. We must never falter until the great League of Nations is rooted and grounded in brotherly love, and a new comradeship is established, not every one grabbing for self, but each man loving his neighbour as himself.”

The congregation included many of the relatives of the deceased men. The collections at the services, including the Choral Communion Service at 8 am, at which the Bishop of Peterborough was the celebrant, were for the Window Fund. The service at 6.30 pm was taken by the Rev. T. W. Walters, Whitwick, Rural Dean.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 12/10/2017