James Christopher Masterton (1880-1958)
Gunner and Accountant, Tasmania and England
James Christopher Masterton, born in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, volunteered to serve in the First World War when working in Penang, Malaysia. He was badly injured in 1916 but survived and had a career as an accountant in England.
Genealogy
James Christopher Masterton was the eldest of six children born to John Masterton, printer and Margaret Johnston. James Christopher Masterton belongs to the large group of Mastertons that originated in the Culross area. Fuller details of his extended family can be found at this link.
The Daily Post, Tasmania
A cablegram from London, received early yesterday morning, brought the distressing news to Mr. John Masterton, of "The Daily Post," that his elder son, Lieutenant J. C. Masterton, of the Royal Garrison Artillery, who has been serving with the British expeditionary force in France, had been severely injured. The Lieutenant is lying dangerously ill from wounds in the No. 1 Red Cross Hospital, Le Touquet, France. His injuries consist of severe wounds in the legs, arms, and side. The cable requested Mr. Masterton to nominate someone in England to cross the Channel and visit his son. This application has been complied with and a reply was cabled to the War Office, requesting that Mr P. W. J. Moore, the representative in England of Tasmania's fruit industry, be informed of the matter.
Lieutenant Masterton, who has been on active service since October last, resigned a lucrative position as secretary of the Tongkah Harbor Co., in Penang, at the outbreak of war, and enlisted in England. He had been a lieutenant in the Southern Tasmanian Garrison Artillery. The last letter received from him, about three weeks ago, informed his father that he was then in England, enjoying a well-earned furlough, and that he had been having a pleasant time, in company with Sir John McCall and Mr P. W. J. Moore. The best wishes of all who knew him in Tasmania are expressed for a speedy recovery.
The Daily Post, Hobart, Tasmania
Wednesday 19 July 1916