Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland

Died on this date – 11th August…… Private Frederick Rupert Mason was born at Lucindale, South Australia in 1895. His mother died in 1904. Frederick enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 6th April, 1916 as a 20 year old, single, Labourer from Meningie, South Australia. His next of kin was listed as his sister – Mrs Amy Sarah Sneath, of Rove, South Australia.

Private Mason was admitted to Mitcham Clearing Hospital on 15th June, 1916 with Measles, while still in Camp in Australia. He was later transferred to Auxiliary Hospital for Convalescence on 30th June, 1916 then transferred back to Mitcham Clearing Hospital on 8th July, 1916 with Bronchitis.

Private Mason embarked from Adelaide, South Australia on HMAT Commonwealth (A73) on 21st September, 1916 with the 5th Pioneer Battalion, 5th Reinforcements. He was admitted to Ship’s Hospital with a Cold on 28th September, 1916 & discharged on 1st October, 1916. Private Mason disembarked at Devonport, England on 14th November, 1916 & was posted to Pioneer Training Battalion at Perham Downs, Wiltshire on 15th November, 1916.

Private Mason was sent sick to Hospital at Parkhouse from Pioneer Training Battalion – No. 26 Camp at Larkhill, Wiltshire on 9th January, 1917 with Mumps. He was discharged on 30th January, 1917.

Private Mason proceeded overseas to France from England on 28th February, 1917. He was taken on strength of 5th Pioneer Battalion on 7th March, 1917.
Private Mason was sent sick to Hospital on 24th April, 1917 with Scabies & discharged to duty on 28th April, 1917. He rejoined 5th Pioneer Battalion on 30th April, 1917.

Private Mason was admitted to Field Ambulance on 20th June, 1917 with Rheumatism. He was transferred to Divisional Rest Station & rejoined his Battalion on 3rd July, 1917.

Private Mason was admitted to Field Ambulance on 27th July, 1917 with Rheumatism Tenosynovitis. He was transferred to Casualty Clearing Station then on to Hospital at Etretat on 2nd August, 1917.

Private Mason was transferred to England as “P.B.” (Permanent Base duties) & was posted to No. 4 Command Depot on 21st September, 1917.

Private Mason was sent sick to Camp Isolation Hospital at Codford, Wiltshire on 6th October, 1917 with Scabies & discharged on 12th October, 1917.

Private Mason was admitted to 3rd New Zealand Hospital at Codford, Wiltshire on 22nd October, 1917 then transferred to 1st Australia Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield on 8th November, 1917. He was discharged to No.2 Command Depot at Weymouth, Dorset on 29th November, 1917.

Private Mason was posted to No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth, Dorset on 29th November, 1917 & medically classified as B1b with rheumatic pain in his hands. He was transferred to No. 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott, Wiltshire on 12th December, 1917.

Private Mason was admitted to Group Hospital, No. 3 Command Depot on 17th January, 1918 with the following “Complains of pain in hips & thighs. Period of isolation as measles contact expired on the 19th. Has much improved, but requires further treatment. To be transferred to Fovant.”

Private Mason was transferred to Military Hospital at Fovant, Wiltshire on 21st February, 1918 with arthritis. The Hospital Admissions for recorded Myalgia. “___ pains in both legs & along cause of sciatic nerve.”

Private Mason was transferred to 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield on 22nd April, 1918. He was discharged to No. 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott, Wiltshire on 3rd May, 1918. The Hospital Admissions form recorded Myalgia Neurasthenia. “Neurotic” & classified B1 A1 (fit for light duty only for 4 weeks). On 8th May, 1918 – “Definate bony something over left ___ for XRay.” He was medically classified as B1 A2 (fit for overseas camp in 3 – 4 weeks) on 15th May, 1918 & again on 7th June, 1918 & 11th June, 1918. On 14th June, 1918 “X ray report no change in bone visible.”

Private Mason was sent sick to Group Hospital at Hurdcott on 1st August, 1918 with Influenza. He was transferred to Military Hospital at Fovant, Wiltshire on 6th August, 1918 then transferred to Salisbury Isolation Hospital on 9th August, 1918 with a suspected case of Cerebro Spinal Fever. He was admitted to Salisbury Isolation Hospital on 10th August, 1918 with Cerebro Spinal Fever. “Gradually increasing coma & exhaustion.”

Private Frederick Rupert Mason died at 5.30 am on 11th August, 1918 at Isolation Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England from Cerebro Spinal Meningitis.
He was buried in St Lawrence’s Churchyard, Stratford-sub-Castle, Wiltshire, England where 25 other WW1 Australian War Graves are located.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/stratford-sub-castle...

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