John Joseph MASON No 418670 Wireless Air Gunner (WAG) (born Bendigo, enlisted Melbourne) in the RAAF on 29.5.1942 age 19 years. After 5 Training postings he embarked for Canada on 15.1.1943 arriving 31.1.1943. He then did Training in Edmonton, Calgary and Mossank before embarking to England 21.10.1943 arriving 30.6.1943. After more Training at several postings he was finally posted to No 158 SQD RAF flying Halifax Bombers and commenced operational flying on 5.11.1944. He rose through the ranks to Flt Sgt on 31.12.1944 and then granted a Commission as F/O on 12.3.1945. He transferred to 466 SQD RAAF on 26.5.1945. His records are a bit sketchy but it appears he flew 11 Operational Sorties. His Commission was terminated on 19.3.1946. His brother Hugh who was also in the RAAF and home at the time told the story that when the aircraft was hit his mother new something had happened to Jack.Photograph, framed. Safe home. The frame is black smooth wooden type. A montage of 2 black and white photos and a description. Large photo shows 4 crew members standing in front of a damaged Halifax bomber. Small photo is of air crewman flying officer JACK MASON (WAG) of Bendigo. The story covers the raid that aircraft was on, how the side exploded out, and the crew members names.Rear has "From HUGH MASON and the MASON family"photography - photographs, raaf ww2, 158 sqd

The images are ones that were used in a Power Point exhibition at Dudley House Bendigo from August 25th - 31st August 2008. The Exhibition led up to the 150 years Anniversary Dinner of Defence Forces in Bendigo held re Cat No’s 8193 & 8194.5P The source of the images came from Multiple places including; The Bendigo Advertiser, Bendigo Military Museum, Passchendaele Barracks Military Historical Society, Victorian State Library, Victorian Govt Gazette, City of Greater Bendigo, Victorian Colonial Infantry Association, 15 Transport Sqd and multiple personal files. These were part of the research by Murray Poustie for the 150 year event.Folder A4 4 ring Binder with plastic inserts each holding two A4 white paper sheets with images, 79 inserts making total 158 images.On front cover, “Marching Forward, Looking Back - 150 years of Defence Forces in Bendigo”brsl, smirsl, 150