CAPTAIN JOHN W. MASON, BASc, MA, PEng, CD** RCN (Ret'd)

John William Mason was born September, 1923 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was educated in Winnipeg, Montreal and Toronto, where he joined the RCNVR (Hostilities Only) in December, 1942 as Stoker II/C.

In February, 1943 he commenced ERA Apprentice training in Galt, Ontario (now Cambridge) and in September, 1943 began an Internal Combustion Engine course in Hamilton, Ontario.

In December, 1943 he was promoted to Stoker I/C and continued ERA Apprentice training in the Mechanical Training Establishment in HMCS Stadacona in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which he completed in July, 1944. The training included a short spell at sea in HMCS Niagara (four stacker)

In October, 1944 he was drafted to HMCS Fort Erie (frigate).

In April, 1945 he was rated Acting ERA 4/C. In July, 1945 he was drafted to HMCS Antigonish (frigate).

In December, 1945 he was discharged at HMCS York, Toronto.

From January 1946 to April, 1949 he studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Toronto courtesy of DVA, and earned the degree of Bachelor of Applied Science.

In May of 1949, he re-enlisted in the RCN as an Acting Sub-Lieutenant (E), and after the Officers' Divisional Course in HMCS Stadacona, was posted to the Royal Naval Engineering College in Plymouth, England.

From September of 1950 to August of 1951, he served in the Korean War in HMS Kenya, a Colony class cruiser, and then he was posted back to RNEC for Advanced Marine Engineering training. He was promoted to Lt (E) in July of 1951.

On return to Canada in September of 1952, he was posted to HMCS Quebec as an Engineering Watchkeeping Officer, and as a Divisional Officer.

In April of 1954, he was appointed to HMCS Buckingham (frigate) as Engineer Officer.

In November of 1955 he was posted to Canadian Vickers Shipyard in Montreal to stand-by the building of HMCS Ottawa, and became her first Engineer Officer when she commissioned in November of 1956. In July of 1957 he was promoted to LCDR (E). In this ship he qualified as a Clearance Diving Officer (Ships).

In November of 1958 he was sent to Halifax Shipyards to stand by the building of HMCS Chaudiere, and became her first Engineer Officer on commissioning in November of 1959. In this ship he qualified for his Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate, and later passed his Command Exams and Board to become Command Qualified, the first officer of the Engineering Specialization to do so.

In March of 1962, he was assigned to the staff of the Commander Fifth Squadron as Cadet Midshipmen Training Officer, set up the curriculum, and made the arrangements for their training that summer. He was posted to HMCS ST. Croix in this capacity and as a watchkeeping officer.

In June of 1962 he married Ritha, a Lieutenant (W) RCN.

In September of 1962 he was promoted to Commander and posted to the Naval Research Establishment in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

In July of 1964, he was appointed in Command of HMCS Algonquin, being the first officer of the Engineering Specialization in the history of the RCN to command a sea-going warship. Being the only ship's officer so qualified, he was also the Diving Officer.

In May of 1965, was appointed as Executive Officer of HMCS Stadacona, being the first Engineer to hold this post. He was acting Commanding Officer of STADACONA from July to September during the absence of the Captain on special duties elsewhere.

In October of 1965 he was posted to Naval Headquarters in Ottawa on the staff of the Director of Ship Design and Construction.

In September of 1967 he was promoted to Captain and appointed as the Director of Intelligence Production.

During his service at NDHQ, he studied part-time at Carleton University and in 1972 was awarded the degree of Master of Arts in Public Administration.

In August of 1972 he was posted to the Canadian Defence Liaison Staff in London, England as the Senior Maritime Liaison Officer.

In August of 1976 he was posted to the Canadian Embassy in Oslo, Norway as Naval, Military and Air Attache. He was also cross-accredited to Sweden and Denmark.

He retired in November 1978 after 34 years of service, and chose to reside in Victoria, where he worked for 12 years for the B.C. Government.

John and Ritha have three grown children, one of whom is a Mountie. They have six grandchildren. He is a member of the Naval Officers' Association of Vancouver Island, the Chiefs and Petty Officers Association, the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of B.C., the Engineering Institute of Canada, the HMCS Uganda/Quebec Association, the ERA Apprentices Association, the CFB Esquimalt Museum and Archives Society, and the Canadian Legion. He is a trustee of the HMCS Sackville Foundation. To keep fit, he skis, swims and walks.