Airborne Engineers Association
Roll of Honour
John Mason
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With regret we have to report the sudden death of John Mason in December 2014. He was a staunch member and supporter of the Aldershot Branch and travelled many miles from his home in Christchurch to attend meetings and functions. John joined the Army in October 1943 and continued with Basic and Corps training until May 1944. On 6th July 1944, along with forty other Sappers, he was interviewed by a Captain from 591 (Antrim) Para Sqn RE as a possible recruit to the unit to replace the 50% of losses the unit had suffered since 6th June. John, together with two Subalterns and five other ranks were allocated to 591 Squadron. After a further interview with the acting 2/ic, Captain "Fergie" Semple, each of the new recruits were given the "red beret". John joined 3 Troop and stayed with them until September 1944 when he was posted to 282 Field Company RE of the 53rd Welsh Division. |
In January 1946 he was granted a Regular Army Commission with the rank of 2nd Lt and posted to the Survey Training Centre and promoted to lieutenant. On 18th October 1946 he was taken on strength of 14 Field Survey Company RE as the Topo Troop commander. In November 1947 he was an Acting Staff Captain (Print) Survey Branch Rhine Army and in November of the same year he was made 2/ic of the Sqn.
In November 1948 he was relegated to "W" (T) Reserve.
For the remainder of his working life he was employed by various local authorities mainly dealing with drainage and in June 1960 he became an Associate Member of the Institute of Municipal Engineers (A.M.I.Mun.E) and Registered Chartered Engineer (C.Eng.)
He will be sadly missed by his wife Jane, his family and friends in the AEA, the Royal British Legion and the Royal Engineers Branch in Hastings.
