William Garner Mason

A Deck Hand with H.M. Trawler James Green, William died on 11th of July 1918 at the age of 42.

William was born at Lowestoft on 8 April 1876, a son of William and Emma Garner Mason. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 7 May 1876. In 1881 his family lived near Pond Farm, Paston, Norfolk. By 1891 William’s father had died and William, and his mother, lived 4 Dove Street with William’s grandfather Nathan Garner. In 1901 William lodged at 235 Raglan Street and he worked as a fish packer. In 1911 William was still a fish packer and he was lodging at 4 Quay Street, Penzance. By 1915 William was living at 110 Northgate Street, Great Yarmouth. The Royal Navy war graves roll shows his next of kin as his uncle Richard Garner of 6 Gun Lane, Lowestoft. 

William joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 26 January 1915 and served on the trawler Hope before joining the Siver Spray. He joined the trawler Friendly Star on 15 July 1915 and the Condor on 5 November 1915. On 26 November 1915 he went to the trawler Good Friend but found himself in trouble for disobeying orders, on 1 December 1915, and interfering with the Military Police: for which he was punished by seven days extra work, stoppage of pay and leave. In early 1916 he joined the trawler Treasure. Between 26 April 1917 and 6 March 1918 he was drafted to H.M.S. Pembroke 1, and on 6 March 1918 he joined the trawler James Green.   

William accidentally fell overboard and was drowned.