Thurso WWII bomber pilot celebrates 100th birthday
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A World War II veteran from Thurso who received the British Empire Medal (BEM) from Lord Thurso two years ago celebrates his 100th birthday today.
Don Mason currently lives at Pentland View care home in Thurso and due to Covid restrictions family members are unfortunately unable to be with him.
His son Robert said he had not seen his father for six months and hoped that it might be possible to get a "window visit" today but if not possible he stated he was "eternally grateful" to the care home for their treatment of him.
"If I can't get a window visit then the next best thing I can do is call him from my mobile on the road opposite," said Robert. "His room overlooks the Scrabster road so we're quite fortunate in that way."
Robert had contacted the Dutch ambassador some time ago mentioning his father's wartime service and apart from a congratulatory letter being penned, the ambassador – Karel van Oosterom – also intends to call Don today at 11am.
After congratulating Don for reaching this milestone in his life the ambassador wrote: "As an RAF Pilot flying Stirling Bombers, Blenheims and MK-IV Troop Carriers, and later on re-commissioned as Wireless Operator and Air Gunner, the operations 1, 2 and 4 logged in your service record were of particular importance for the people of the Netherlands.
"These operations involved targeting Dutch soil and waters in 1940, and Operation Market Garden. All the other missions that took you and your crewmates over Germany, France and Norway were just as crucial towards peace and freedom for the Netherlands, as it fought off the aggressor Germany."
Mr van Oosterom went on to say he was especially struck by learning about the veteran's time spent teaching younger generations about his wartime experiences.
"I am sure that students learn a great deal when hearing stories directly from veterans such as yourself. Personally, I find it so important for new generations to learn about the past, and how it can shape their future."
In ending the letter, the ambassador thanked Don on behalf of the Dutch people and said "we are forever grateful for your actions, and courage".
Don's son, Robert, echoed the sentiments of the ambassador and said that he was particularly proud of his father's legacy in teaching youth groups in Caithness about his life during World War Two.
"It's all very well reading about these experiences in books but actually speaking to somebody who went through it all is quite remarkable," said Robert.
Originally from Worcestershire, Don moved to Thurso in the 1980s, although his connection with Caithness had begun in 1940 when he flew Blenheim bombers out of Wick.
In 2019, he was awarded the British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours List in recognition of his services to the community in Caithness. At that time, despite being 98 years old, the veteran was still visiting schools and other groups to give slideshow presentations about his war experiences.
His service record shows he took part in bombing runs over Axis-held territory in France, Italy and Germany. He even set out from Wick airport in 1940 on several missions around the coast of Norway and engaged enemy convoys there.
In 1944 Don flew to Normandy twice on D-Day, first dropping paratroops and then a glider with more troops and equipment.
During the war he served as a pilot and then a radio observer, completing nearly 5000 flying hours including missions for the Special Operations Executive when he dropped agents into France along with supplies for the resistance.
In an interview published in the Groat in June 2004 to mark the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings, Don said: "As I look back I think first of all how lucky I was and I feel very sad about the people who gave their lives in that struggle.
"It's not really appreciated, the sacrifices that were made both on the home front and in action. It's a sad reflection on society, I feel."
Thurso war hero honoured with BEM award
