Pair: Lieutenant-Commander W. I. Mason, Royal Naval Reserve and Mercantile Marine, who served as Master of the S.S. Clan Graham, which was twice attacked by an enemy submarine during the Great War, for which he received a King’s Commendation and was also awarded the Lloyd’s Medal for Meritorious Service

British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (William I. Mason.) in named card boxes of issue, extremely fine (2) £100-£140

William Isaac Mason was born at Kirkby-in-Furness, Lancashire, in 1878 and served during the Great War as Master of the Clan Line S.S. Clan Graham - she was attacked by an enemy submarine by gunfire in the Mediterranean on 26 May 1917, and was torpedoed by another submarine in the Mediterranean on 4 March 1918, but on both occasions Mason managed to get the ship to port. For his skill in doing so Captain Mason was awarded the Lloyds Medal for Meritorious Service in silver. As a Lieutenant-Commander in the Royal Naval Reserve, Mason’s name was amongst those having been brought to notice of the King, having received an expression of commendation for their services (London Gazette 29 November 1918). He was awarded the Royal Naval Reserve Officers Decoration in 1923 (London Gazette 1 March 1923, and was granted the rank of Commander on retirement.

Sold with original named Board of Trade ‘Authority to wear War Medals for the Mercantile Marine’; original letter from the General Register and Record Office of Shipping and Seamen, to Lt. Commander W. I. Mason, R.N.R.; and copied research.