People on board

SMITH, William Masson

David Masson Smith was born in Aberdeen in December 1899 to George Keith Smith and Ann Yule. He was the youngest of their ten children, only four of whom survived to 1911. George Smith was a Mason, and the name Masson may originate from an Aberdeen Stone Cutter, William Masson. The family lived in Holburn Street, moving to Chattan Place before 1901. George Smith died in March 1911 and in the 1911 census there were only three children living with his widow Ann. John, aged sixteen, was an Apprentice Stone Cutter while Isabella and William were still at school. According to De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour this was Broomhill Public School, and William later worked as a Carter.

Again according to the Roll of Honour he enlisted in the Scottish Horse in March 1916, when he would still have been sixteen. His brother John also enlisted. In October 1918 William was with the second-line 2/1st Regiment which had moved to Ireland in April of that year. Returning home on leave, he travelled on RMS Leinster on the 10th with fifteen others from his regiment. He did not survive the sinking nor was his body recovered. His name is recorded on the Hollybrook Memorial in Southampton and on the City of Aberdeen Roll of Honour.