Mason, John William: my Navy recollections (September 10, 1981)

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ABSTRACT: Capt (E) John W. Mason Royal Canadian Navy Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve Capt. Mason joined the navy in February 1943 as a second class stoker and underwent training as prospective Engine Room Artificer (E.R.A.) in a seven month course at Guelph, Ont. Describes his very early naval days at the Canadian National Exhibition buildings in Toronto. Returns to training at Galt, mostly in the machine shop, and later in Toronto where they trained on internal combustion engines. Finally to Halifax -- poor quarters and food. Describes going ashore in Halifax. Intensive training and a little sea-time in HMCS Niagara (former U.S. destroyer). Formed part of the crew of a frigate (No. 29) then building, but in the meantime was held at HMCS Hochelaga II in Montreal where he was permanent "Captain of the Heads"! Finally sent to HMCS Fort Erie at Quebec City. Work-up in Bermuda. Served six months as a First Class Stoker then an E.R.A. fourth class. Fort Erie was on a local escort for a long period. Returned to Halifax when war ended, with navigation lights burning -- remembers the novelty. Discussed his uniform, pay -- as a first class Stoker, $1.45/day and when he became a petty officer, an E.R.A. fourth class, $3.05/day. Felt himself rich. Comments on the mess-deck and the crowded conditions. Where the leading seaman and the largest of the crew ruled, and where the food was, at best, mediocre. Posted to HMCS Antigonish, re-fitting n Pictou, N.S. After two trips to Bermuda returning soldiers to Halifax he was released in December 1945. Using his D.V.A. credits he returned to university and obtained a degree in mechanical engineering in 1949. The same year he applied to re-join the navy as an Engineer Officer. Sent to the RN for training at HMS Thunderer, the RN Engineering College including four months of hands-on training at John Brown's shipyard on the Clyde. Appointed to the cruiser HMS Kenya, in Japan at that time. A long trip via troop-ship, Hong Kong, and eventually Sasebo, Japan. Speaks very favourably of his time in the Royal Navy. He learned to be a Naval Officer, gain self confidence, self respect, and how to handle men.

Interviewee: Mason, John William

Rank: Captain.

An interview/narrative of John William Mason's experiences during World War II. Captain Mason served with the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve. Interview took place on September 10, 1981.

Interviewer: Lawrence, Hal

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Date created Relation
  • Part of the Hal Lawrence collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 1 transcript (15 pages)
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 45.50884, -73.58781
Additional physical characteristics
  • No audio recording held.
Physical repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • MJW_279
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Technical note
  • Technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Migration metadata by KD and MT. PDF. Technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
Rights
  • This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
DOI

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