Mason Family

The Rev. Canon C. A. Mason is probably the best living source of information about the early Woodard period just after the School was reopened in 1880. If there are any others who can give us information on personal lines about those days, their contribution will be most welcome. Canon Mason was at Balliol College, Oxford. He was ordained in 1881 and was Chaplain at King's from then until 1885. He worked for many years in India, some of them at Rawalpindi, after which the gallant Morgan's famous merchant cruiser was named, and later became a Canon of Lucknow Cathedral. After some years again in England he went in 1922 to the Diocese of Toronto, in Canada, where he still is living at 55, Lawrence Avenue West, Toronto 12. Tel. HU. 3411.
He has written us many letters of great interest, which will be of remarkable value in writing a history of King's if any of us can find time for that pleasant task when peace comes. We are very grateful to him for all the trouble he has taken, and we hope he will continue to search his wonderful store of memoirs and give us more accounts like those we now print.

( l ) 2nd June, 1942 :—
I was thrilled at receiving your budget of the prospectus of K.C.T. and the four numbers of the "Aluredian." Moreover, I was astounded at all I read. You have, indeed, "grown up," compared, not only with my own time, 1881-86, but also with my short visit in 1918; when I stopped for the inside of a day between two trains on my way back from seeing my wounded son in a Plymouth Hospital.
Of course, in 1881, September, the School was only 11 months old. You, rightly and naturally, claim a long continuity, but in October, 1880, the School had been closed for about 18 months. Canon Woodard was given to understand that there were plenty of boys ready to come back, but what parent is going to let his boys play about for an indefinite time? In the five years we nearly reached the 100, in spite of one epidemic of smallpox in the town, which did not touch us, only keeping day boys away, and then scarlet fever in the School, with a few patients: that also kept day boys away. Then about '87 the School was closed again and re-opened after about a year, I think, with its own College. Thomson did wonders during his time. I have told you about this, I think. I wrote it in a covering letter to my memoir of Rev. G. O. L. Thomson for the "Aluredian," and my words were endorsed by Dr. Liddon. In 1918 the Head was a bachelor. He occupied the two rooms on either side of the central tower. The one N.—which had been Dorrington's and then Gosnell's (Math.), which was lived in, and the one S., which was mine, kept tidy for interviews—and he slept in the room I had between the two dormitories on the first floor. Much had been done; there was a Chapel, unfinished, instead of the "tin tabernacle" of my day. (We usually had about a fortnight of hot weather in June or July, and then the altar candles, only lit on chief festivals, bowed to each other, and we had our 11 o'clock matins in the big School), there was a Chaplain: Thomson was Chaplain, and his title was "Assistant Chaplain," and some extension was made, but not much. The progress up to date is just wonderful. By the way, there had been times of anxiety. An old boy, while waiting in a parson's study, was playing with a "Crockford," and found my name and address and wrote to me. I forget his name, but he was living in the neighbourhood, I think, and was one of a Committee to try and get more boys for the School. Also, I once, I forget just when, offered myself for Chaplain. The Provost was inclined to forgive my matrimonial status, but the Fellows hesitated, as they were a bit anxious at that time. I offered to spend my days in College and to live near. So, with all these things in my memory, I was, and am, so very thankful to see the signs of real progress and stability.
I expect you and Mrs. Unmack have a house in one of the new buildings: the old Head's house of Thomson days was, even in 1918, handed over to the Matron. There were two "Houses," the Head's, who paid a little more and got an extra supper, I think, and the School House, which was my care: the Junior Master of the day deputised for the Head where necessary. Our "staff" consisted of the Head, Dayson was called Bursar, but was only a kind of secretary, and taught a little, till he died, and was not replaced; he came from Hurst. Thomson was at Hurst, from boy up to Second Master. It was funny to me to have a brand new School with ready-made "traditions."
I must tell you one rather amusing story. A fond-mother came to see Thomson, and, after preliminary remarks, said she heard that the bread and butter was not always fresh. T. told her the ritual employed for renewing supplies, the count, the prefect's application, and the sending of a boy to the buttery hatch. "Well, the word used was 'mouldy' " "Oh," said T., "I am so glad you said that, as it tells me exactly what happened. We have a boy who has come to us from Hurstpierpoint, where I was myself. The nickname there for a piece of bread and butter is a 'mouldy.' E.g., "we have fresh mouldies today" and he has evidently brought the name with him! "
Another curiosity comes back to me about those two rooms by the tower. When there was a strong north wind, Gosnell was smoked out (when there was a fire) and came to see me; with a strong south wind the converse happened! I wonder if they still do this.
There are a few hieroglyphics which I cannot follow, and perhaps, at your leisure, you could tell me. J.T.C., A.T.C., K.C.M.R.C. (index) or R.M.C. (text). XI. and XV. are obvious, but what is XLV?
I do not know if you have any record of O.A.'s of bygone ages. Three I remember very well. (1) Clement Molony, was in the Head's House, but used to come to some short readings I had necessarily for our own House, in my room on Fridays in Lent. Molony asked to be allowed to come, and seemed interested. He was a fine character. When Thomson asked some boys in whose presence he would not use bad language, he at once said, "Molony, sir." He went to Woolwich, and joined the Garrison Artillery. I met him at Karachi in 1887, when I was officiating for five Sundays for a Chaplain on privilege leave; as he was in a tent, I put him up in the Chaplain's house. He afterwards exchanged into a Mountain Battery, offering chances of active service. He was, as a Captain, in charge of the guns in the Hausa-Nagar Expedition—I forget the date, but it was soon after our meeting. The story is told in "Where Three Empires Meet," a book I am so sorry I did not keep, for I fear it must be out of print now. The three are, of course, Britain, Russia and China. The march was most difficult, some times alongside of a mountain stream, then, when there was no room, over an adjoining hill. It is said that some German officers were jesting about "Britain's little wars"; another, I rather think Von Molkte, said, "Well, anyway, British officers don't go to the Front in first-class carriages!"
Molony afterwards went to Africa. He was nearly eaten by a lion, as his shikari gave him a shot gun instead of a rifle, and the lion was offended. M. shammed dead, and while the lion was considering the matter, something took off his attention, and he walked off! M. was afterwards killed in action, but when and where I never heard. (2) Basil Molony, a younger brother; just a very ordinary school boy of the best type. I passed him as able to swim: but he went into the Merchant Service, and his ship went down with all hands! (3) J. M. Starky Willimott. I knew him very well and met him when he was Assistant Priest at S. Mary Magdalen, Munster Square. He became Vicar of S. Hilda's, Leeds, where he died. I paid a visit a long time ago to All Saint's, Bloxham—a School I had often played football (r.u.) against at St. Paul's, Stoney Stratford. There I met H. R. Willimott , who was Chaplain. He afterwards served in the late war. I did not suppose he would remember me, and he did not. I first met him at dinner in hall: but I wrote to him on his brother's death and had a nice letter from him from Hambridge. I gathered that he knew all about K.C.T. and had preached there in Chapel. That being so, you could get any more information about J.S.W. if you wished.
I am sending your kind present to Gosnell, who was with me at K.C.T. He afterwards went to Tasmania to a school made from a former Theological College; I forget the name, and from there he went with his Headmaster, name gone, of New College, Oxford, to S. Peter's College, Adelaide, which I see from an Intercession Paper of the Fiery Cross, and now has 320 boys. I don't know whether I told you of the ramifications of K.C.T. personelle. G. O. L. Thomson married Lily Plumbe, daughter of the (then late) Dr. Samuel Plumbe, of Maidenhead. The eldest brother, also Samuel, and also M.D., had the practice. Two of Mr. Thomson's sisters, three rather, stayed at Taunton at various times, and I married one, Katie; Gosnell another, Annie; and Harry Thomson, Osmund's older brother, and secretary to the Agent, G.I.P.K., Bombay, the youngest, Ada. My dear wife died in 1937, here in Toronto. Lily died before Osmund Thomson, Harry Thomson died at Southsea in 1906; Ada is still alive, also Gosnell and Annie; they all lived at Bexhill-on-Sea, but were evacuated; Gosnell was, when I heard, staying at Bridgwater with one of their children. I told him about K.C.T. and that he should arrange to go and see you and say I told him. I don't know whether he has done so. He is, like me getting old, and had not been very well; but he will, I am sure, be most interested in all those documents. A nephew and piece of Osmund Thomson lived in his house for some time, sons of Harry Thomson by his first wife. Harry, the nephew, went to New College, Oxford (he was a member of the School when there), went in for I.C.S., but got the Colonial C.S., and was for many years in the Straits Settlements. He retired and was living in Southsea, his wife's early home. His house was wrecked, and then he joined up with some cousins at Torquay. One day a 'plane was returning, injured, and to lighten its cargo dropped a bomb just over their house. He, the maid serving tea, and two of the cousin's children were killed instantly and the rest injured, but not seriously, and they made a good recovery: but Harry's death was a great blow to the family.

(2) 3rd June, 1942 :—
Yes, I know Rawal Pindi well: its chief characteristic is dust. I have a photo of a march past, in which it is almost difficult to see the troops, cavalry and R.A. for the dust. It is sad when our young men are taken, as so many are these days. It is consoling to know that character goes on and that valuable training is not wasted.
Among old boys, there was one Polehampton, who became a priest, and did wonderful slum work, I think, in Bristol, but I am not sure. I cannot remember who told me of him; he died many years ago. He was seen dragging chairs and tables about for his needy parishioners. Then there was Arthur Holmes Gore; I knew his family well at Clifton. His father was Clerk to the Magistrates. He was a born actor, and took that up as a profession. I heard him once at the "Strand" as the Admiral in "The Flag Lieutenant." He was a Captain in the Isle of Wight Rifles, and went to Gallipoli, where he must have been killed. He was seen running about without a cap, but never seen again. He was married to an actress, and left one daughter, who was "Joan of Arc" in a travelling company. By the way, Harry Thomson, whom I mentioned in my letter yesterday, went to Winchester College from K.C.T.; I think it was when the school was closed.
I spoke of one Dorrington, who preceded Gosnell as Mathematics Master. I recall a typical scene. Enter a day boy—his name escape me, ?Webber. I think his father was an ironmonger—"Please, sir, do you know for Mr. Dorrington?" "Talk English." "Oh, sir, you know what I mean, do you know where Mr. Dorrington's to?" By the way, this "Zomerzet" expression is very interesting to me: it is a "constructio praegnans," of Acts viii., 40. A.V was found at Azotus: but the preposition with its accusative never meant at but always to according to Liddel and Scott; so it means was carried away to Azotus and found there. How much simpler the Zomerzet "were vound to Azotus"

(3) 10th June, 1942:—
Encouraged by your kind request , I am putting down a few little things, which may interest you. Owing to the closing of the School in 1887 or thereabout, and my own absence in India, I lost touch with nearly everyone.
My first colleague was E. W. Dorrington, I think an Oxford man: I have entirely lost sight of him. My second was A. W. Gosnell, of whom I have written, since there is good reason why I should remember him. There were three Thomsons, from Bath. Willie (Cat Major), Cyril (Cat Minor) and "Kitten." I forget his name. I came across W. E. in 1908 or so as Vicar of Abbots Bromley, and I fancy he may be Rector of Leigh, Stoke on Trent, as it is in the Diocese of Lichfield, but I have only a "Clerical Directory," which does not give antecedents. I must tell you about some of the staff of Denstone and S. Mary's, Abbots Bromley. We had five children, and were always glad to see their school fellows in the holidays, and they became part of the family. Among Winnie's schoolfellows were Gladys Jacob (M.A., Cantab) and Alice Morris. The latter became a mistress at S. Mary's and the former a 'Master' at Denstone. The Head said the Founder would turn in his grave if he knew it, but he thought it was better to get a girl who could teach rather than a man, who could not. That was in the last war. When it came to our last two, "Bobby" and "Doris," they were respectively at Denstone and S. Mary's with "Gladys" and "Alice," as they always called them at home. I don't know what Bobby did, but D. had an arrangement whereby Alice was "Alice" out of school and Miss Morris in school! Miss Gamlin, who recently died in a good old age, would have been shocked if she had seen Doris' father kissing one of her mistresses!

The Mason Family

Ada Doris Hood (Mason) Barton

Amy Laura Mason

Arthur Samuel Mason

Audley Charles Mason

Charles Arthur Mason

Gerald Francis Mason

John Oscar Lawrence Mason

Violet Grace Mason

Winifred Kate (Mason) Revell