Mason, Percival Lawrence

Lieutenant Colonel Percival Lawrence Mason, CVO VD was born 24 August, 1857 in Toronto, Ontario to William Thomas Mason and Mary Lawrence and was a graduate of Upper Canada College, Toronto.

He enrolled in the Queen’s Own Rifles in 1878 as a Private in F Company. In 1881 he was promoted to Corporal and then had a brief stint as Sergeant before commissioning to 2^nd Lieutenant and being placed in D Company, which he was to become Captain of by 1891. Mason was promoted to Major in 1901 and awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration in 1902. Also in 1902, he was made Brigade-Major of the II Infantry Division and accompanied the Canadian Contingent sent to London, England for the coronation of King Edward. On 10 April, 1906 he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and appointed as Commanding Officer (CO) of the 1^st Battalion Queen’s Own Rifles a position he held until 1 February 1911. During his tenure as CO he attended the trip to Aldershot, England sponsored by Sir Henry Pellet and was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.

LCol Mason, (mounted left), during the England Trip in 1910

In his civilian life Mason was an accountant, in 1883 he married Luella Isabella Mitchell, they had two daughters. Mason died on 21 January 1938 and is buried in Plot R24, S 01 East Side, St. Thomas Anglican Cemetery, Oro Twp., Simcoe Co., Ontario but is listed on a family monument at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto.

Timeline of Military Service:

1878, enrolled as Private, F Company;
1881, promoted Corporal, Nominal Roll;
1882, 1 Sep, date of Commission to 2nd Lieutenant;
1883, Lieutenant;
1891, Captain of D Company, pay list;
1897, 11 March, Brevet Major;
1901, 22 August, Major;
1902, 1 January, awarded Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration;
1902, appointed Brigade-Major of II Infantry Division, 3^rd Brigade;
1902, 2 June, accompanied Canadian Contingent sent to London, England for the coronation of King Edward
1906, 10 Apr, promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and appointed as CO 1^st Bn;
1910 England Trip;
1910, 20 Sep, made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order;
1911, 1 Feb, relinquishes command to LCol Malcolm Mercer;
1911, 1 March, retires from service.