From “Oundle Memorials of the Great War” p182, transcribed by Clive Wood

Randall Stewart Mason was the son of Mr. and Mrs. G. S. Mason, the Hayway, Rushden, Northants, where he was born on July 14, 1894.

Entering Oundle (Crosby House) in 1907, he was at school until 1912, in which year he went up to Jesus College, Cambridge. Mason was prominent on the cricket field, playing for the school in 1911 and 1912. At Cambridge he frequently assisted the University at golf, of which game he was an accomplished player.

On August 15, 1914, he was given a commission in the Special Reserve, and on September 21 he was gazetted to the 6th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade. In December 1914 he went with a draft to France to join the second battalion. In March 1915 came the battle of Neuve Chapelle, and on the 12^th Mason was killed in the second advance. He was buried in the churchyard at Neuve Chapelle.

Rushden Lieutenant Killed

News reached Rushden last evening of the death of Second-Lieut. Randall Stewart Mason, of the Rifle Brigade. He was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. G. S. Mason, and was killed in action near Neuve Chapelle on the 14th inst. Lieut. Mason obtained his commission in August last from the Cambridge O.T.C. He took out a draft to join the 2nd Battalion of the Brigade on December 11th last, and went direct to the trenches. He was home on short leave at the end of last month, and went back to the front on the 1st inst. and took part in the recent fighting. Lieut. Mason was educated at Oundle and Jesus College, Cambridge, and was in his 21st year.

Rushden Family Bereaved - Lieut. Randall Mason Killed in Action

News reached Rushden on Tuesday evening of the death of Second-Lieut. Randall Stewart Mason, of the Rifle Brigade. He was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. G. S. Mason, and was killed in action near Neuve Chapelle on March 14th.

Lieut. Mason obtained his commission in August last from the Cambridge O.T.C. He took out a draft to join the second Battalion of the Brigade on December 11th last, and went direct to the trenches. He was home on short leave at the end of last month, and went back to the front on the 1st inst. and took part in the recent fighting. Lieut. Mason was educated at Oundle and Jesus College, Cambridge, and was in his 21st year. His father is the clerk of the Rushden Urban District Council and a member of the firm of Messrs. Simpson and Mason, solicitors, of Higham Ferrers and Rushden.

A special Meeting of the Rushden Urban District Council was held in the Council Building, Rushden on Wednesday, Councillor J S Clipson, J.P. presided and the years accounts were completed and passed.

The Chairman referring to the heroic death of Second-Lieut R Mason,
the son of their Clerk, Mr G S Mason, said he was sure they were expressing the feelings of every member of the Council and also of the officers when he said how deeply they sympathised with their respected clerk, Mr Mason in the terrible loss he had sustained in the death of his only son at the front. That sad event brought, home to them all very much the dreadful nature of war and the sacrifices that were being made and would have to be made ere it came to a conclusion. They could but express their deep sorrow at Mr Mason's terrible loss and the deepest sympathy with him and his family at that time. The vote was carried, all the members rising in their places.