News Sought of Pilot-Officer

Cecil Mason

SOME time in 1942 Pilot-Officer Cecil John Mason, of the RAAF (and formerly a resident of New Guinea) stationed in Townsville, Queeflsland, was sent to New Ireland on a dangerous mis sion—to try to locate and, If possible, rescue certain officials who had been caught in the Japanese invasion.

He went first to a district on the main island, seeking Mr. A. F. Kyle, the ADO; but Mr. Kyle had gone. He now is listed among the Territory’s missing civilians.

Mr. Mason then went on by submarine to Anea, a small island off the south eastern coast of New Zealand, seeking Mr. Woodriffe. He found his man, but when they got back to the rendezvous, the submarine had gone it had been attacked by a Jap patrol boat. Japs had landed on the island, and Mason and Woodriffe were taken prisoner. Nothing has been heard of them since.

If anyone has heard anything at all of Pilot-Officer Mason, since he was cap tured, information would be gratefully received by his wife, Mr. C. J. Mason, 1 Katina Street, Turramurra, Sydney.