Mastertons at War

Like any family living through periods when their countries went to war, a number of Mastertons fought in conflicts across the world. Some never returned. These pages are dedicated to those who fought and died fulfilling their duty to their country.

World War I

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The Roll of Honour

The National Archives records 141 Mastertons who were awarded a World War I Campaign Medal by the Army, and 4 by the Royal Naval Division. Canadian Archives identify 15 Mastertons who joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

A total of 31 Mastertons were killed: 26 from the United Kingdom, 2 from Australia (of which one was the grandson of a Scots immigrant) and 3 from Canada (of whom 2 had been born in Scotland, and the other was the son of a Scots immigrant). Where there is a link, it will take you to their family tree.

Masterton Alexander, Australian. 2718 Private. 55th Battalion. Australian Infantry, A.I.F. Died 19.10.1917. Age 25. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Panel 7-17-23-25-27-29-31
Masterton Alexander. 386366 Private. 1st/1st Northumberland Field Ambulance. Royal Army Medical Corps. Died 27.5.1918. Age 29. Soissons Memorial.
Masterton Allan George, Canadian. 177875 Private. 1st Battalion. Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment). Died 24.7.1916. Age 20. Boulogne Eastern Cemetery: VIII. A. 140.
Masterton Charles. PLY/1122 (S) Private. 2nd R.M. Battalion. R.N. Division. Royal Marine Light Infantry. Died 24.9.1917. Arras Memorial. Bay 1.
Masterton David. S/4923 Corporal. 10th Battalion. Gordon Highlanders. France and Flanders. b. Carnwath, Lanark. Died 25.9.1915. (Loos Memorial Panel 115 to 119).
Masterton Douglas. S/44773 Private. 1st Battalion. Gordon Highlanders. Died 23.10 1918. Age 18. Forfar Cemetery. J. 216 (1 and 2).
Masterton Forbes. Clyde Z/654 Leading Seaman. 189th Machine Gun Coy. R.N. Div. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Died 24.4.1917. Arras Memorial. Bay 1.
Masterton Frank. Second Lieutenant. 9th Battalion. Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Died 5.4.1918. Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery, Albert. II. O. 20.

MASTERTON, F., Lieut., 9th Royal Fusiliers: He was serving at Dover on the outbreak of war as an Instructor and in 1916 was drafted to France, where he was gazetted to a commission. He fought at Arras, and in numerous other engagements until April 1918, when he was unfortunately killed in action at Albert. He was entitled to the General Service and Victory Medals.
"Whilst we remember the sacrifice is not in vain."
322, Crystal Palace Road, East Dulwich, S.E.22. TZ7999B. National Roll of the Great War.

Masterton Frank of 42 Hunny-hill, Newport, Isle of Wight, second-lieutenant R. Fusiliers died 5 April 1918 in France. Administration (with Will) London 5 July to Lizzie Masterton widow. Effects £178 1s. 9d. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1861-1941.
Masterton George. 1254 Private. "C" Coy 1/6 Battalion. The Cameronians, Scottish Rifles. France. b. Bothwell. Died 15.6.1915. Brown's Road Military Cemetery, Festubert. VII. G.14

Official intimation has been received by his parents of the death of Private George Masterton, Bothwell, 1-6th Scottish Rifles, who was killed in action on June 15. Deceased, who was the eldest son of Mr James Masterton, foreman blacksmith, 5 Murray Place, Bothwell, and had been connected with the Volunteers since 1910, was a blacksmith with Messrs William Baird and Company, Bothwell Collieries, before volunteering for active service.

Evening Times, Glasgow
5 July 1915

BOTHWELL: Private George Masterton, 6th Scottish Rifles, was killed in action on 15th June. Deceased was the eldest son of Mr James Masterton, foreman blacksmith, 5 Murray Place, Bothwell. Scotsman, Edinburgh, 5th July 1915

Masterton George. S/8476 Private. 8th. Battalion. The Black Watch. (Royal Highlanders). b. Alva, Clackmannanshire. Killed in action, France and Flanders. 12.10.1917. Aged 35. Tyne Cot Memorial. Panels 94 to 96.

MISSING:- THE BLACK WATCH.-...Masterton, 8476, G. (Alva);... Scotsman, Edinburgh, 27th November 1917

Masterton George. S/15341 Private. 7th Battalion. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. b. Lasswade, Midlothian. Died 3.11.1915. Aged 18. Loos Memorial. Panels 119 to 124.
Masterton George. 4271 Private. 15th Battalion. Highland Light Infantry. b.Forfar. Died of wounds. France and Flanders. 25.4.1917. St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen. P.I.C. 3A.

WOUNDED. HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY:- ...Masterton, 4271, G. (Forfar.)... Scotsman, Edinburgh, 19th October 1916

Masterton George Ellis. 704 Private. 3rd/1st Highland Cyclist Bn. Army Cyclist Corps. Died 15.5.1916. Aged 18. Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre. Div. 19. BB.2.
Masterton Gilbert B. 2583 Private. 4th Battalion. The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). b. Lochee, Forfar. Killed in action. France and Flanders, 9.5.1915. Le Touret Memorial. Panels 24 to 26.
Masterton Henry, Australian. 3423 Private. 54th Battalion. Australian Infantry, A.I.F. Died 1.9.1918. Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension. V.G. 18.
Masterton James. 56 Private. 3rd Scottish Horse Yeomanry. b. Coatbridge Died 3.11.1915, Gallipoli. Aged 23. Lala Baba Cemetery. I. A. 21.

In Memoriam

In loving memory of Private JAMES MASTERTON, 1/3 Scottish Horse, eldest and dearly beloved son of Mr and Mrs Masterton. Killed at Gallipoli, 3rd November 1915.

It is not the tears at the moment shed
That tell how beloved is the soul that is fled
But the tears through many a long night wept
And the sad remembrance so fondly kept

Inserted by his parents, sisters, and brothers:-Baldernock, Milngavie. Scotsman, Edinburgh, 3 November 1916

Masterton James, Canadian. 460347 Company Quartermaster Sergeant. 78th Battalion. Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment). Died 9.4.1917. Vimy Memorial.

MASTERTON:- Killed in Action on April 9, C.S.M. JAMES MASTERTON (Canadians), only son of the late Jas. Masterton and Mrs Masterton, 33 Haddington Place, Edinburgh, and dearly beloved husband of Nellie Wright. Deeply mourned. Scotsman, Edinburgh, 19th May 1917

Masterton James, Canadian. 439013 Corporal. 1st Coy. Canadian Machine Gun Corps. Died 10.11.1917. Aged 27. Nine Elms British Cemetery. VIII. E. 20.
Masterton James. 42676 Lance Corporal. 15th Battalion. The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment). b. Bathgate. Died 22.3.1918. Arras Memorial Bay 1 and 2.
Masterton James. S/18387 Private. 8th Battalion. The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). b. Dunfermline, Fife. Killed in action, France and Flanders. Died 15. 6. 1918. Aged 20. Meteren Military Cemetery. I. D. 117.
Masterton James Frederick. Second Mate. Mercantile Marine. S.S. "Harberton" (London). b. Guernsey. Died 29.3.1917. Aged 35. Tower Hill Memorial.
Masterton John. S/40212 Private. 1st Battalion. The Gordon Highlanders. Died 14.5.1917. France and Flanders.
Masterton John Douglas. S/11489 Corporal. 2nd Battalion. The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. b. Dundee. Died 21.6.1918. Aged 24. Nine Elms British Cemetery. XIV. D. 20.
Masterton John L. 33447 Private. 15th Battalion. The Highland Light Infantry. Formerly S/10970 Royal Highlanders. Killed in action. France and Flanders, b. Aberdour, Fife. Died 9.9.17. Aged 24. Coxyde Military Cemetery. III. G. I.

SECOND LIST. KILLED. HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY. ...Masterton. 33447, J.L. (Aberdour);... Scotsman, Edinburgh, 13th October 1917

Masterton Robert. 43619 Private. 15th Battalion. The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment). b. Alloa. Died 28.4.1917. Arras Memorial Bay 1 and 2.
Masterton W. 3359 Private. 1st Battalion Leinster Regiment. Died 27.9.1915. Hangard Communal Cemetery Extension. I.K. 1.
Masterton William. 275607 Corporal. 1st/7th Battalion. The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. b. Kinniewood, Kinross. Died 23.4.1917, France and Flanders. Aged 20. Arras Memorial Bay 9.

RANK AND FILE. SCOTTISH LOSSES. The following casualties amongst warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men are reported under various dates. All are Privates except where otherwise shown. The town shown against each soldier's name is the home of his next-of-kin, except when followed by the abbreviation "Enlt.," when it is his place of enlistment.
KILLED.- ...Masterton, 275607, Cpl. W. (Laurieston);... Scotsman, Edinburgh, 30th May 1917

Masterton William. Clyde Z/3970 Acting Leading Seaman. Drake Battalion R.N. Division. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Died 30.12.1917.Aged 23. Thiepval Memorial. Pier and Face 1A.
Masterton William Anderson. 305234 Corporal. 3rd Highland Field Ambulance. Royal Army Medical Corps. Attached 1st/6th Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). b. Maxwellton, Forfar. Died 11.9.1917. Aged 33. Gwalia Cemetery II. A. 12.

SECOND LIST. KILLED. R.A.M.C., ATT. BLACK WATCH.- ...Masterton. 305234, Cpl. W. (Dundee);... Scotsman, Edinburgh, 9th October 1917

Masterton William Murray. Second Lieutenant. 6th Battalion (T). The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment). Died 10.6.1917. Aged 19. Duisans British Cemetery. Etrun IV. J. 8.

MASTERTON:- On 10th inst., of wounds received in battle, Sec. Lieut. W. M. MASTERTON, Royal Scots, elder son of James Masterton, Headmaster, Albion Road School, Edinburgh. Scotsman, Edinburgh, 12th June 1917

Sec. Lt. W. M. MASTERTON, Royal Scots (died of wounds), was the elder son of Mr James Masterton, headmaster of Albion Road School, EDINBURGH. He was gazetted in March last. Scotsman, Edinburgh, 12th June 1917

A son of Mr. J. Masterton, B.A., Edin., was born in 1898, and, having attended G.W.. 1910-12, was entered as an actuarial apprentice in the Century Assurance Office. He enlisted in the 4th R.S. in 1914, and served through the Gallipoli campaign. After training at Gailes, he was gazetted to the 6th R.S., then attached to the 16th Bn., and fell on June 10, 1917, aged 19.George Watson's College: Watson's War Records

Masterton William Nimmo. 45924 Private. 4th Battalion. The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment). b. Dalkeith. Died 12.11.1917, Egypt. Jerusalem Memorial Panel 10.

SECOND LIST. KILLED. ROYAL SCOTS. ...Masterton. 45924, W. (Dalkeith);... Scotsman, Edinburgh, 29th December 1917

Sources

1) Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle. www.snwm.org
2) Commonwealth War Graves Commission. www.cwgc.org
(Nationality British, unless stated.)

Wounded

Masterton, A. 6121, Private. MORE SCOTTISH LOSSES. [Except where otherwise stated, the rank of soldiers in the following lists should be read as Private.] The following casualties amongst non-commissioned officers and men of the Expeditionary Force are reported from the Base under date 21st November:- This list shows 5 killed (all Royal Engineers), 8 died of wounds (5 Scottish) 143 wounded (113 Scottish, of whom 52 are Royal Scots Fusiliers and 39 Gordon Highlanders), 2 wounded and missing and 56 missing (55 Royal Scots Fusiliers and 1 of the Black Watch.) WOUNDED. ROYAL IRISH RIFLES. -...6121 Masterton, A....Scotsman, Edinburgh, 14th December 1914
Masterton, A. J., 4???, L.-Cpl. HEAVY SCOTTISH LOSSES. [Except where otherwise stated, the rank of soldiers in this list should be read as Private.] The following casualties amongst non-commissioned officers and men of the Expeditionary Force are reported from the Base under date 25th November 1914:- WOUNDED. SCOTTISH REGIMENTS -...Masterton, 4??? L.-Cpl. A.J. , 12th Lancers...Scotsman, Edinburgh, 11th January 1915
Masterton, D. Tpr., WOUNDED SOLDIERS AT MILNATHORT. The following wounded soldiers have arrived at Tillyrie Hospital, Milnathort:-...Tpr. D. Masterton. 1/3rd Scottish Horse....Scotsman, Edinburgh, 8th November 1915
Masterton, F., Ord. Smn., R.N.V.R.- DRAKE BATTALION. WOUNDED. ...Masterton, F., Ord. Smn., R.N.V.R...Reported under date 12th May.Scotsman, Edinburgh, 17th May 1915
Masterton, George., Lance-Corporal. DUNFERMLINE:- Lance-Corporal George Masterton, 1/7th Black Watch (T.F.), son of Mr William Masterton, mechanic, Ross Lane, Dunfermline, shrapnel wound to left hand. Scotsman, Edinburgh, 23rd June 1915
Masterton, J., 920 The following casualties among non-commissioned officers and men of the Expeditionary Force are reported from the Base under date 13th January:-WOUNDED.- GORDON HIGHLANDERS...Masterton, 920, J. ...Scotsman, Edinburgh, 27th February 1915
Masterton, J., 5503, WOUNDED. CAMERON HIGHLANDERS, 1ST BATTALION. -...Masterton, 5503. J....Scotsman, Edinburgh, 8th November 1915
Masterton, J., 29687, Act. Bdr.- WOUNDED. ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY. -...Masterton, 29687., Act. Bdr. J. (Glasgow);...Scotsman, Edinburgh, 25th December 1916
Masterton, J., 8444 WOUNDED.- GORDON HIGHLANDERS...Masterton, 8444, J. (Tillicoultry.)...Scotsman, Edinburgh, 23rd September 1916
Masterton, J., 10359, WOUNDED IN GLASGOW - A further contingent of 126 wounded soldiers arrived in Glasgow yesterday, and (with the exception of a few who were taken to Merryflats Hospital) were accommodated in Stobhill No. 4 Hospital. Those belonging to Scottish regiments are:- SCOTS GUARDS...Masterton, 10359, J. Scotsman, Edinburgh, 4th January 1917
Masterton, J., 306175, , Gnr.- WOUNDED. R.G.A. -...Masterton, 306175., Gnr. J. (Glasgow);...Scotsman, Edinburgh, 13th September 1917
Masterton, P.S., 126134 Gnr.- WOUNDED. R.G.A. -...Masterton, 126134., Gnr. P.S. (Dundee);... Scotsman, Edinburgh, 30th October 1917
Masterton, R., 4605, Under Date 6th February. WOUNDED. ROYAL SCOTS-...Masterton, R. 4605....Scotsman, Edinburgh, 4th March 1915
Masterton, S. A., 542, WOUNDED. 2ND AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE: -...Masterton, 542. S.A.....Scotsman, Edinburgh, 3rd June 1915
Masterton, W., 35, C.S.M. The following casualties among non-commissioned officers and men of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force are among those reported under various dates:-. WOUNDED. ROYAL SCOTS-...Masterton, 35. C.S.M. W. ...Scotsman, Edinburgh, 10th June 1915
Masterton, W., 35, C.S.M. MEDITERRANEAN FORCE. WOUNDED. ROYAL SCOTS, 5TH BATTALION (T.F.)-...Masterton, 35. C.S.M. W. ...Scotsman, Edinburgh, 2nd November 1915
Masterton, W., Ldg. Smn., R.N.V.R.: ROYAL NAVAL DIVISION (CLYDE). WOUNDED.-...Masterton, W., Ldg. Smn.,R.N.V.R.... Scotsman, Edinburgh, 28th July 1917
Masterton, Sgt. W.J., 1941, MORE WOUNDED IN GLASGOW - A party of 100 wounded soldiers reached Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, by special train yesterday morning. The men belonged to British regiments, and of the total number, 31 were members of Scottish battalions. All were stretcher cases. The work of transferring them from the adjoining railway platform to the wards was carried out smartly by the men of the R.A.M.C. attached to the Third General Hospital, and they had the use of motor ambulances belonging to St Andrew's Ambulance Association. The following are the names of the men of the Scottish regiments:- BLACK WATCH...1941 Sgt. W.J. Masterton... Scotsman, Edinburgh, 4th November 1914

Prisoners of War

Masterton, J. 896. PRISONERS OF WAR. 14TH BATTALION INFANTRY...Masterton, 896, J. ...Scotsman, Edinburgh, 27th September 1915
Masterton, W. 40792, PRISONERS OF WAR IN GERMAN HANDS. THE BLACK WATCH.- ...Masterton, 40792, W. (Dunfermline.)...Scotsman, Edinburgh, 28th July 1917