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R.A.F. 42417 - Pilot Officer Miles Arthur George MASON (surname underlined)
Widow: Mrs. C.L. Mason of Guernsey, Channel Islands.
Mother: Mrs. M.C.W. Mason of Seatoun, Wellington.

Miles Mason was born at Lower Hutt on September, 17th, 1916, and received his secondary education at Nelson College up to Matriculation standard. He was a member of the Marlborough Aero Club, Blenheim, where he obtained his "A" Licence and was also a member of the Civil Reserve of Pilots. At the time of making an application for a Short Service Commission in the Royal Air Force or the Royal New Zealand Air Force on December 9th, 1938, he was engaged in fruit growing at Richmond, Nelson. He was selected for Short Service Commission in the Royal Air Force on March 13th, 1939, and embarked for the United Kingdom by the "RANGITANE" on May 6th of the same year.

On arrival in England in June, 1939, he reported to the Civil Flying School, Anstey, and was posted on the August 5th to No.1 Depot, Uxbridge, for a short disciplinary course. Later in the month he proceeded to No. 6 Flying Training School, Sywell, being transferred in April, 1940, to No. 1 School of General Reconnaissance, on flying duties pending a Navigator Course a few days later. In July he was posted to No. 206 Squadron, Aldergrove.

Pilot Officer Mason was the pilot of an aircraft returning from operations on the night of 11/12th February, 1941, caught in bad weather over Scotland. The pilot was signalled to land at Leuchars. This message was received and the pilot was given wireless aid to Leuchars. On arriving over the Aerodrome, Pilot Officer Mason found that the weather had closed down in that area and he made several attempts to land without success. Instructions were then issued for him to abandon the aircraft since when no trace of the aircraft or crew has been found. The supposition was that in the thick fog prevailing at the time, Pilot Officer Mason and the crew probably baled out into the sea under the impression that they were over land.

Find a Grave link with photo of deceased: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15258474/miles-arthur_george-mason

18/1/1386 A.S.2.
No Log Book.

Mrs. C.L. Mason (W), (right aligned)
"La Cloture", (right aligned)
L'Aucresse, (right aligned)
GUERNSEY (right aligned)
Channel Islands (right aligned)