Mason Family History

Herbert John Thomas Mason & Helene Elizabeth McPhee

Husband

Marriage

Wife

Children

Details

Herbert Mason GraveHerbert John Thomas Mason was born 24 Oct 1908 in the northern Victorian town of Milloo (another source listed his birthplace as Tennyson). His parents were Herbert Mason and Annie Isabel Gladman.

Helene Elizabeth McPhee was born on the 10th of February in 1909 in Yan Yean, Victoria. Her parents were John Alexander McPhee and Gertrude Elizabeth Prowd.

Helene was known as Nellie. Nellie attended Yan Yean Primary School with her brothers Max and Norman.

Helene Mason GraveHerb and Nellie married on the 21st March 1929, at Christ Church, Essendon, on the 21st of March 1929. They were both 20 years old. Witnesses were Thomas Mason (his brother?) and G. E. McPhee (her mother?)

At the time of marriage, Herbert was living in Yearing, in the Victorian Yarra Vally, and working as a farmer.

They had a very busy life, having 13 children altogether (12 surviving), with most of them being born at home. They moved around a lot, having lived in Mt Eliza, Bittern, Ringwood, Traralgon, Thomastown and Heathcote. Despite all these children running around the house, Nellie was a placid person always with a smile.

Nellie had many talents - she was a very good tennis player and her greatest joy was not to ride side saddle but to hitch up her skirt and ride like a man! In her later life she went to the club every Wednesday and amazed the family with her creative abilities. She was a beautiful knitter and enjoyed playing the Black Hawk Waltz, which was played using only the black keys on the piano. She had a great love of sport, and woul dbe glued to the TV wathcing the cricekt or Melbourne playing footy.

Herb built most of the houses that they moved to, and Nellie would also give a hand, often with the heavy work.

Herbert died on the 31st July 1976, and is buried in Heathcote cemetery. After that, Nellie moved to Epping. In 1997 she was unable to look after herself and moved to Deloraine Nursing Home. A year later she had major stroke. She died on the 27th of September 2001. She is buried in Heathcote Cemetery in the same plot as her husband.

Service Record of H. J. T. Mason

Name MASON, HERBERT JOHN THOMAS
Service Australian Army
Service Number VX110004 (V16326)
Date of Birth 24 Oct 1908
Place of Birth MILLOO, VIC
Date of Enlistment 2 Oct 1942
Locality on Enlistment CROYDON, VIC
Place of Enlistment COBURG, VIC
Next of Kin MASON, HELENE
Date of Discharge 1 Jun 1943
Rank Lance Corporal
Posting at Discharge: 13 A TPS COY
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: None for display
Prisoner of War: No

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Name MASON, HERBERT JOHN THOMAS
Service Australian Army
Service Number VX32786
Date of Birth 24 Oct 1908
Place of Birth MILLOO, VIC
Date of Enlistment 18 Jun 1940
Locality on Enlistment CROYDON, VIC
Place of Enlistment ROYAL PARK, VIC
Next of Kin MASON, HELENE
Date of Discharge 26 Aug 1940
Rank Gunner
Posting at Discharge: 2/2 Anti Aircraft Regiment
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: None for display
Prisoner of War: No

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