When the Woodford Times reported the loss of Arthur Mason, it described him as the foster son of Emily Keddie, who lived at 104 Maybank Rd. There is no Census record of Arthur living with the Keddies, or evidence that he lived in Woodford. However there is a clear connection between Emily Keddie and this casualty.
The Army says Arthur Frank Mason was born in Dundee, and his service number was issued in the spring of 1913. He qualified for the 1914 Star on 13th August 1914 when the Battalion arrived in France.
During 21st May 1916 having spent much of the month training, 1 Berkshires marched to Hersin and were billeted in an orphanage. From 15.00 to 17.00 considerable damage and several casualties were caused by shelling; a gas warning came at 15.30, and though the gas cloud was seen it did not affect the Battalion. During 22 May the Battalion moved to Gouy Servins in the Berthonval Sector some ten miles south of Bethune.
At 05.00 on 23rd May, “B” Company was shelled with 18 casualties resulting, and an attack was planned for 20.25 that evening. However at noon German shelling began which continued without let up until 19.45 when it increased to an intense barrage which lasted until 21.30. This made it impossible for troops to move into their attacking positions, and at 20.00 the Commanding Officer ordered them to stand firm and await orders. The attack was cancelled and the Berkshires redeployed to relieve 22 Royal Fusiliers at 01.30 on 24-05.
From then until 26th May when they in turn were relieved by 22 Royal Fusiliers, things were quieter but this tour in the front line had cost 76 casualties. When they returned to the front line on 29th May no casualties were reported.
It is not known when Arthur Mason incurred the wounds which cost his life on 29th May 1916, but from the evidence of the war diary it seems most likely that they were caused by shellfire during the period 21/26 May 1916.
Emily Keddie and her Printers Reader husband Walter hailed from Liverpool, married in 1888, and by 1891 were living with their young family at 88 Glyn Road, Hackney. In 1911 they had moved to “Woodlands” Latchett Road, South Woodford. Emily was the sole legatee for Arthur Mason, and while living at 104 Maybank Road after the war, chose the words “Thy Will Be Done” for his gravestone. She continued to live in Woodford, appearing in the 1939 Register with her daughter Evelyn and son in law Edmund Beagley at 10 Wynndale Road. However by then she was described as “incapacitated” and died at the age of 85 towards the end of 1948.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com