Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Mason, a framework knitter, born in the October quarter of 1845 in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire (son of Thomas Mason, 1811-1869 and Mary Ann Pallett, 1809-1894) and his wife Jane Mason (nee Ross, married on the 3rd September 1866 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna), a framework knitter, born in the January quarter of 1846 in Wigston Magna and baptised on the 5th April 1846 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna (daughter of Samuel Ross, 1818-1893 and Elizabeth Cooper, 1823-1893). James Edward, a schoolboy, was born in the April quarter of 1873 in Wigston Magna and baptised on the 3rd August 1873 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna, his siblings were, George, a framework knitter, born in the October quarter of 1866 and baptised on the 2nd December 1866 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna, Arthur Robert, a schoolboy, born in the April quarter of 1868 and baptised on the 5th July 1868 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna, Thomas Joseph, a schoolboy, born in the October quarter of 1869 and baptised on the 3rd April 1870 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna, Harry Edgar, a schoolboy, born on the 10th April 1871 and baptised on the 4th June 1871 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna, Joseph William, a schoolboy, born in the January quarter of 1876 and baptised on the 7th May 1876 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna, Ernest Samuel, born in the April quarter of 1878 and baptised on the 4th August 1878 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna and Mary Ann Elizabeth, born in the April quarter of 1880 and baptised on the 4th July 1880 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna, all his siblings were born in Wigston Magna, in April 1881 the family home was at 60, Leicester Road, Wigston Magna. In April 1891 James was employed as a shoe trade riveter and was residing in the family home at Leicester Road, Wigston Magna, together with his father a framework knitter, his mother and siblings, Harry, a shoe trade pressman, Joseph, a framework knitter, Ernest, a framework knitter, Mary, a schoolgirl and Edwin Rosa, a schoolboy, born in the January quarter of 1885 in Wigston Magna and baptised on the 1st March 1885 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna. James’ mother died in the October quarter of 1894 in Wigston Magna, aged 47 years. In March 1901 James was absent from the family home at 7, Gladstone Street, Wigston Magna, residing there was his widowed father, a stocking framework knitter (Rothwell) and his siblings Elizabeth, a stocking framework knitter (Griswold) and Edwin, a stocking framework knitter (Rothwell), James was serving as a Private with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was stationed in Egypt. James’ father died on the 5th October 1910 in Wigston Magna, aged 64 years. In April 1911 James was serving as a Private with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was stationed in Fort Saint George, Madras, India. In the July quarter of 1913, James married Eliza Longden in Birmingham, Warwickshire. Eliza was born on the 21st December 1884 in Masboro, Rotherham, Yorkshire. James and Eliza had a son, John James Eric who was born on the 10th August 1914 in Wigston, Leicestershire. James’ brother, Ernest Samuel, was killed in action on the 15th July 1916.
James enlisted/attested into the Militia on the 26th August 1891 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 4149. He gave his place of birth as Wigston, Leicestershire and age as 18 years 4 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as shoe finisher, presently in the employ of Messrs. Brown and Company, Leicester. He gave his present address as c/o 60, Leicester Road, Wigston, Leicestershire
His medical examination recorded his height as 5-feet 5½ inches weight 103 lbs, chest measurement of between 31 and 32 inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was brown. He gave his religion as Wesleyan.
He was certified as fit for the Militia. Date 26th August 1891. Place Leicester.
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. 26/8/1891.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 26/8/1891.
Posted. To 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 26/8/1891.
Commenced 49 days drill training. 26/8/1891.
Transferred. To Northamptonshire Regt. Pte. 1/3/1892.
James enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 27th February 1892 in Northampton, and was allotted the regimental service number 3759. He gave his place of birth as Wigston, Leicestershire and age as 18 years 10 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as shoe laster.
He confirmed that he was presently serving with the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, Militia.
His medical examination on enlistment recorded his height as 5-feet 6½ inches weight 115 lbs, chest measurement of between 32 and 33 inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, scar in the centre of his forehead and right eye brow. He also had a mole on his left breast. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 27th February 1892. Place Northampton.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Joseph, Leicester Road, Wigston, Leicestershire.
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. 1st Bn. Northamptonshire Regt. Aldershot. Pte. 2/3/1892.
Transfer granted. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. To serve with his elder brother. Authority A.A.B.Q. Aldershot. 22/7/1892.
Transferred. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Service number 3470. 26/7/1892.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (unpaid). 10/1/1893.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (paid). 1/5/1893.
Awarded. 3rd Class Army Certificate of Education. 15/6/1893.
Granted. Good Conduct pay @ 1d. 27/2/1894.
Promoted. Corporal. 1/6/1894.
Awarded. 2nd Class Army Certificate of Education. 26/12/1895.
Passed. Instruction classes for Rank of Sergeant. 1/10/1897.
Permitted to extend his service to complete 12 years with the Colours. 15/3/1898.
Elected to come under the conditions of the R.W. d/- 3/4/1898. 1/4/1898.
Promoted. Sergeant. 14/6/1898.
Passed. Exam at School of Military Engineering, Chatham. Satisfactory. 24/6/1898.
Transferred. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 24/12/1898.
Awaiting trial. 20/3/1899.
Tried. By D.C.M. and convicted of drunkenness. Sentenced to be reduced to the ranks. 30/3/1899.
Good Conduct pay cut by 1d 30/3/1899.
Transferred. To the Army Reserve. 14/6/1899.
Joined. Section “A” 1st Class Army Reserve under A.O. 142 of 1898 as a Private. 21/8/1899.
Colours under A.O. 23 of 1898 as amended by A.O. 78 of 1898 as Private with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regt. 7/9/1899.
Resumes Good Conduct pay @ 1d. 7/9/1899.
Appointed. Lance Corporal. 27/11/1899.
Deprived of Lance stripe. 23/2/00.
Granted. Good Conduct pay @ 2d. 21/6/01.
Appointed. Lance Corporal. 10/7/03.
Passed. Instruction Classes for promotion to Rank of Corporal. 26/10/03.
Promoted. Corporal. 9/12/03.
Re-engaged for the 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. to complete a term of 21 years’ service, Authy. B.O. No.2 d/12/1/04. 11/1/04.
Granted Service Pay Class I @ 7d. 1/4/04.
Paid £12 Gratuity due to him under A.O. of 1898 credited to his account for April 05. 13/4/05.
Passed. Instruction Classes for Rank of Sergeant. 28/10/05.
Tried by D.C.M. and convicted of “Drunkenness on duty” and sentenced to be reduced to the ranks. 13/1/06. To duty as Private. 14/1/06.
Forfeits 1st Good Conduct Badge on reduction to Private. 13/1/06.
Resumes 2nd Good Conduct Badge. 13/1/06.
Transferred. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 28/2/06.
Transferred. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 16/10/06.
Awarded 3rd Good Conduct Badge. 13/1/07.
Awarded 4th Good Conduct Badge. 22/5/10.
Discharged on the termination of his 2nd period of engagement. 6/4/13.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 27/2/1892 – 23/12/1898. 6 years 283 days.
Africa. 24/12/1898 – 9/6/1899. 168 days.
Home Service. 10/6/1899 – 14/6/1899. 5 days.
Home Service. 15/6/1899 – 6/2/00. 237 days.
Egypt. 7/2/00 – 14/12/03. 2 years 311 days.
Home Service. 15/12/03 – 27/2/06. 3 years 75 days.
India. 28/2/06 – 19/3/13. 7 years 20 days.
Home Service. 20/3/13 – 6/4/13. 18 days.
Total service 21 years 39 days.
James’ army service enlistment documents do not survive, therefore the currently available information pertaining to his military service has been obtained from the following sources: - 1921 HMSO Publication, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914 - 1919, WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Registers.
Enlisted/Attested in Birmingham into the Regular Army. Date not known.
Joined. At a Place and date not known.
Posted. To Royal Warwickshire Regt. Pte. Date not known.
Allotted the Regimental Service number 3315.
Posted. To 2nd Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regt. Pte. Date not known.
First entered the theatre of war in France. 11/11/14.
Killed in action. In the Field. 18-19/11/14.
Buried. In the Field.
Body not recovered.
Commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Commines Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium.
Awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp & Rose, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In the event of his death, James nominated his widow, Eliza as his sole legatee.
On the 9th July 1915, James’ widow Eliza was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of fifteen shillings for herself and her son, commensurate on the 19th July 1915.
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.
The War Diary records: 18 Dec-14 – FLEURBAIX. The Battalion was ordered to advance in three lines at 4:30pm to attack and take the Germans trenches which were in front of LE MAISNIL. The attack was preceded by a heavy artillery bombardment by our artillery to which the enemy made hardly any reply. Attack was started by “B” Company on the right led by Captain HADDON, advancing in 2 lines: “A” Company advanced on the left in 2 lines with “D” Company in the centre. “C” Company formed the third line with entrenching tools. A Machine Gun was on each flank. Immediately the attack was opened, the enemy opened a very heavy rifle and Machine Gun fire. The Battalion advanced under this with steadiness suffering very heavy casualties. The 2nd QUEEN’S sent 1½ Companies in support and although our dead were found only a few yards from the German trenches, the attack failed in its objective. What remained of the Battalion subsequently retired into our trenches. Shortly after daylight the enemy came out and started examining our dead. Parties went out of our lines and buried some of the officers and collected discs from some of the killed. Owing to 2 officers of the QUEEN’S and several smaller parties of the Battalion, others engaged in carrying our wounded into the enemy’s lines, (the enemy refusing to allow us to remove our wounded) they made prisoners, and also owing to Lieutenant BOWER, SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT being killed while helping to collect our wounded, the informal armistice terminated. Lieutenant Colonel BREWIS was found killed about 40 yards from the enemy’s line, Captain BROWNFIELD, Lieutenant’s MONK, TUCKER, CAMPBELL and B-?- (attached ROYAL ENGINEERS) together with 34 men were found a few yards from a German Machine Gun. From evidence available, it appeared that Captain BROWNFIELD though previously wounded continued to lead the attack on the gun.
The War Diary records: 19 Dec-14 – FLEURBAIX. Captain I. H. G. WHITE took command of the Battalion. The following officers reported for duty. 2nd Lieutenant and acting adjutant J. PENNINGTON, Lieutenant BOOKER, 2nd Lieutenant CHAVASSE, local Captain St-?-. 2nd Lieutenant STEVENS acting Quartermaster returned to duty with “C” Company. Lieutenant and Quartermaster HYDE returned from leave. Battalion mustered in the trenches 149 N.C.O.s and men. The 2nd QUEEN’S who had come in as support the previous day remained to occupy 2/3 -?- of our line. The remainder of 2nd ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT had retired by order after the action into reserve at LE CRON BALLOT. The Battalion were relieved by 2nd WILTSHIRE REGIMENT at 5:00pm and went into reserve at LE CRON BALLOT. Following were casualties as far as could be ascertained. Officers killed Lieutenant Colonel BREWIS, Captain’s HODGSON, BROWNFIELD, 2nd Lieutenant’s MONK, TUCKER, CAMPBELL. Wounded, Captain MULGRAVE, Lieutenant RICHARDSON, 2nd Lieutenant STANDRING. Missing, Captain HADDON, Lieutenant BERNARD, 2nd Lieutenant PEARCE. Rank and File 57 killed, 87 wounded, 219 missing. 2nd Lieutenant STANDRING died of wounds and was buried in SAILLY Churchyard. Battalion relieved 2nd QUEENS in the trenches. Following officers were attached for duty, Lieutenant BLOSSE, ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS, 2nd Lieutenant’s AUSTIN, POOLE.
On Saturday January 30th 1915, The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. Private J. E. Mason, 2nd Warwickshire Regiment, was killed in action on December 17th, at a place unstated, was a pensioner, having served 21 years in the Leicestershire Regiment. He attained the rank of Sergeant, and saw service in South Africa. After retiring he was Sergeant of Commissionaires in Birmingham, and on the outbreak of the war he volunteered for active service in August last. He is one of six brothers who have served their country, and the second one to give his life. His widow and children are living at 26, Gladstone Street, Wigston Magna.
On Monday December 20th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page five, under the heading. – BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS. – IN MEMORIAM. – MASON. – In loving memory of James Edward Mason, 2nd Warwicks (late 2nd Leicester’s), who was killed in action at Fleurbaix, France, Dec. 19th, 1914. He answered the call. From Wife, Brothers, and Sisters.
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