James William Mason (1883–1918)

Private

South Staffordshire Regiment 39822 1/6th Battalion

Photo Derbyshire Times

Newspaper photo of James William Mason

Biography
Born in 1883, James was a quarryman. He married Emma Limb at St Mary’s, Crich in 1909. A society steward, sunday school superintendent and organist at the Crich Wesleyan chapel before the war he was posted to France in 1917. He was wounded and gassed and then killed in action on 21st August 1918. James was buried at Fouquieres Churchyard Extension, near Béthune and is remembered on the memorials in the Wesleyan Chapel and outside St Mary’s at Crich.

Newspaper reports

Derbyshire Courier, 6 April 1918
WOUNDED
Pte. James Mason, Crich

Derbyshire Times , 31 August 1918
CRICH SOLDIER KILLED
Mrs Mason, of Crich Common, received the news on Monday that her husband Pte. James Wm. Mason, South Staffs, was killed in action in France on the 20th inst and was buried on the 22nd. He was 34 years of age and leaves a wife but no family. He enlisted just over a year ago and went to France last November, and had been wounded and gassed. Prior to joining up he was superintendent of the Wesleyan Sunday School, organist and a vocalist of some repute.

Derbyshire Courier, 12 October 1918
On Friday at the Wesleyan Church, Crich, a memorial service was held for Private James Mason, who fell in action in France on 20 August. The service was conducted by the Rev G D Mason of Matlock. Private Mason had held the office of society steward, Sunday School superintendent and church organist at the Wesleyan church for many years.

James is remembered on the memorial tablet in the Wesleyan Chapel, Crich.

Photo courtesy Peter Patilla

WW1 memorial in the Wesley Chapel, Crich

Memorial inside the Wesleyan Chapel, Crich

Medal Roll Index Card
He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Name MASON, JAMES WILLIAM
Initials J W
Nationality United Kingdom
Rank Private
Regiment/Service South Staffordshire Regiment
Unit 1/6th Bn
Age 35
Date of Death 21/08/1918
Service No 39822
Additional information Son of James William and Eliza Mason, of Crich; husband of E. Mason, of 4, East View, The Common, Crich, Matlock.
Casualty type Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference IV. C. 9.
Cemetery FOUQUIERES CHURCHYARD EXTENSION


War Grave Certificate for James William Mason

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56401530/james-william-mason

WW1 headstone for James William Mason

39822 Private J.W. Mason
S. Staffordshire Regt
21st August 1918

True to Manhood God and Country
Love and remembrance last for ever

Soldiers' Effects Book
James William Mason; 1/6th Bn Sth Staffs Regt; Pte 29822; killed in action 21.8.18; War Gratuity £3 10s 0d; paid out to:
22.11.18 widow Emma £11 4s 11d
3.12.19 widow Emma £3 10s 0d

James Mason's brothers Charles Mason, Arhur Mason and William Mason are also on the Roll of Honour.

CENSUS INFORMATION

1891: Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Information Where born
James W Mason Head 31 Stone mason Liverpool
Eliza Mason wife 28   Crich
William Mason son 11 Scholar Crich
Charles R Mason son 9 Scholar Crich
James Wm Mason son 7 Scholar Crich
Herbert Mason son 5 Scholar Crich
Ernest Mason son 1   Crich

RG12 piece 2746 folio 56 page 4

1901: Crich Common

Forename Surname Relationship Age Information Where born
James W Mason Head 41 Stone mason Liverpool
Eliza Mason wife 39   Crich
William Mason son 21 Factory hand machine minder Crich
Charles R Mason son 19 Stone mason Crich
James W Mason son 17 Quarryman gritstone Crich
Herbert Mason son 15 Factory hand Crich
Ernest Mason son 11   Crich
Arthur Mason son 7   Crich
Amy Mason daughter 4   Crich

RG13 piece 3231 folio 19 page 29

1911: Park Head, Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Information Where born
James William (jnr) Mason Head 27 Quarryman limestone Crich
Emma Mason wife 27   Wheatcroft

RG14PN20984 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED13 SN75

1918 Voters List
James William Mason, The Common, absent on military service.