Figure 1.--This Cedric Arthur Mason at about 3 or 4 years of age, probably about 1912. He is wearing a tweed tunic suit with kneepants and long stockings. He also has what looks like a blck bow. His hair is long, but uncurled.

Cedric Arthur Mason (England, 1908-79)

A HBC reader tells us, "These two photos, are of my uncle Cedric Arthur Mason, born Titchfield, Hampshire, on 7 March 1908, died Winchester, Hampshire, 27 December 1979." Cedric was related to the Capper family. A HBC reader has provided us some images from her photograph album in the 1870s. The album belonged to Mary Ella Capper.

Family

Cedric was related to the Capper family. A HBC reader has provided us some images from a photograph album in the 1870s. The album belonged to Mary Ella Capper. Cedric's father was Thomas Mason, originally a Police Sergeant, but later and for the greater part of his life, the Registrar and Relieving Officer for Titchfield, Hampshire. Cedric had two elder brothers. Thomas Reginald Saunders Mason became a Police Lieut. in Washington DC. Another elder brother, Harold Victor Mason became a Police Sergeant in Havant, Hampshire, and later Chief Master at Arms on the Cunard vessel "Queen Elizabeth".

Childhood

We do not know anything about Cedric's childhood.

Childhood Clothing

We have two images of Cedric as a boy. These looks to be his dress clothes which he presumably wore especially for the portraits.

Tunic suit

This Cedric Arthur Mason at about 3 or 4 years of age, probably about 1912 (figure 1). He is wearing a heavy wool tunic suit with kneepants and long stockings. The suit has fancy brass buttons and what looks like a metal belt buckle. These tunic suits were popular outfits for younger boys at the time. He also has what looks like a blck bow. His hair is long, extending below his shoulders. It was uncurled. The clothes and long hair suggest that Cedric came from an affluent family.

Highland kilt

Here we see Cedric in a Higland kilt. It is a complete Highland kilt outfit. He has the military style jscket and kilt as well as the Glengary cap with eagle feather and sporan. Cedric was not Sottish. This is an example of English boys wearing Highland outfits when dressing up. Scottish outfits had become very popular in England, in part because of Queen Victoria who began dressing the princes in kilts. Cedric looks to be about 11 years ols here which means that the portrait was probably taken about 1919.

Adult Life

Cedric when he grew up led a fascinating life. Our contributor tells us, "He joined the Shanghai Municipal Police on 7 January 1929 and remained at his post in Shanghai at the request of HM Government, until his internment by the Japanese in 1942. At that time he was a Captain in charge of the Fingerprint Bureau and Crime Branch Studio. He was also Official Handwriting Expert to the Shanghai Police, speaking fluent Northern dialect Chinese and Shanghai dialect. Returning to the United Kingdom in 1945, he joined HM Government Control Commission in Germany, where he developed fluent German and was promoted to Police Staff Officer in charge of some 600 men at Munster RBD. He was married three times. Firstly, to Elsa Stehlneek, at Shanghai on 17 March 1934. Secondly to Muriel Vera Southerton, at Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, on 8 March 1947. Thirdly, to Anita Gurowich, at Port Said, Egypt, in September 1952. Two daughters by third marriage."

Sources

Hazell, Keith. E-Mail message, June 9, 2005.






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Created: 12:35 AM 6/10/2005
Last edited: 4:50 AM 6/10/2005