More about Peter Masson

4292 PTE PETER  MASSON, .4/5 Bn BLACK WATCH 

Private Peter Masson, Black Watch, twenty-two years of age, who was born in Glasgow was the son of Douglas Masson, cabinet- maker, and residing at Tayview Buildings, Broughty Ferry, and grandson of ex-Poilce Sergeant William Masson, Helen Street, Arbroath.

Prior to his enlistment Private Masson was a clerk at the Dundee East Station. He enlisted into the local 4^th Bn Black Watch TF and from reviewing his Medal index card he did not deploy to the Western Front until after 1915.  This is borne out be the lack of a 1914-15 Star entry on his card or a qualifying date of entry to that theatre of war. He had been in the army for about a year when he was killed at the battle of the Somme, on the 3rd of Sept 1916 which further supports the view that despite enlisting to the 4^th Bn he would have been actually posted to 4^th/5^th Bn which was the composite Bn formed in early 1916.

It seems from his CWGC entry that he was amongst those of the 4/5 Bn Killed in action when attacking along the Ancre valley to enemy trench objectives East of Hamel on 3 Sept 1916.   The Bn suffered many casualties that day said to be Officers – 3 Killed,  4 Wounded and 2 missing, as well a  OR’s  34 Killed,   17 Missing and 158 wounded The special order issued by the CO prior to the attack as published in the Bn War Diary is attached as is the CO’s “After Action Report”  which sheds light on much of the detail.

Peter was amongst the fallen that day and is interred in Hamel CWGC cemetery.