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Sgt. Leonard Mason MM.
British Army 1/5th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
from:Bolton
Leonard Mason was my grandfather and I remember when I was a little girl how I used to sit and polish his medals. I remember on Remembrance Sunday we would walk down to The Cenotaph in Bolton, him wearing his medals and holding my hand, for the Service of Remembrance. He was born on 27th March 1893 at Flitcroft Street, Bolton, son of Thomas and Sarah Ann Mason. He had five siblings, Florence b. 1889, John b. 1891, Samuel b.1895, Julia b. 1897 and Robert b. 1905.
He enlisted on 9th November 1914 and sailed on The Tintoretto to France on 12th February 1915 and landed the following day. Whilst in France he was promoted to Sergeant. On 14th January 1918 his name was gazetted as having been awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the Field. This award was for his actions at The Battle of Menin Road Ridge (20 – 23 September), part of The Third Battle of Ypres 1917. At some point after being awarded the Military Medal, he was wounded and I have vivid memories of all the marks on his legs made by bullets. He was honourably discharged from the Army on 8th March 1919 and given the Silver War Badge number 450937.
Leonard married Annie Shuttleworth on 29th June 1918 at St Simon & Judes Church, Bolton. They had three children 2 boys and 1 girl. Sadly the two boys died in infancy but the one girl was my mother. My granddad Leonard Mason died on 3rd February 1969 at home in Bolton but I have wonderful memories of him and still miss him to this day.
