Blanche Ada Mason, the last World War II veteran of the Inverell RSL Sub Branch, has died at the age of 103, on her 82nd wedding anniversary.
She served as a signalwoman during the war, but rarely spoke of it and never sought praise for it. Those closest to her remember a kind, generous and deeply private woman.
“She was a very private person,” said her daughter Sue Turner.
“She didn’t want any accolades or anything like that.”
“It was just her life.”
Born Blanche Ada Jones on 18 September 1923 on the property “Moss Vale” at Kilbirnie in Queensland, she enlisted in the Australian Women’s Army Service in September 1942, aged 19.
She served as a signalwoman with No 1 Fortress Signals, with postings at Caloundra, Bribie Island, Kissing Point in Townsville and the Atherton Tablelands, before her discharge in November 1945.
Ms Turner said her mother saw her service as a duty rather than an achievement.
“It was just something that she did and had to do,” Ms Turner said.
“She never had much to say about that.”
While in the army, Blanche met John Thomas “Jack” Mason, who was also serving. Ms Turner believes the pair met at an army dance. They married on 28 October 1944.
In 1946, after their discharges, the couple settled in Inverell, where Mr Mason was born and grew up. They raised four children, John, David, Leslee and Susan. Their eldest son, John, followed his parents into uniform when he was conscripted for service in Vietnam.
Mrs Mason worked at the local telephone exchange and as a cook, before spending many years as the domestic at the nurses’ home, a role that rounded out her working life.
Ms Turner, the youngest by 10 years, said her older siblings had left home by the time she was at school.
Their son John and daughter Leslee have since passed. Ms Mason is survived by her son David and Ms Turner, along with her grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, to whom she was “great Mase”.
When she turned 100 in 2023, the sub-branch presented her with a shadow box holding her service certificate, a photo of her in uniform and replica medals at a morning tea at her home. Members marked her later birthdays with visits and small gifts.
Well-being Officers Brian McLennan and Hans Mouthaan visited her regularly, and she always had home-made biscuits waiting for them.
“She was just a very selfless person,” said an Inverell RSL Sub Branch spokesperson.
“Just the most beautiful person you’ll ever meet.”
“Blanche was a highly regarded and important part of our sub branch and will be missed by many,” the sub branch stated in a Facebook post informing the community of her passing.
Mrs Mason’s funeral will be held at St Augustine’s Anglican Church, Inverell, on Thursday, 5 November, starting at 10am. It will be followed by interment at the Inverell New General Lawn Cemetery.
Members of the Inverell RSL Sub Branch are especially invited to attend wearing their service medals.
Ms Turner said the people who knew her mother best needed no reminding of who she was.
“The people that are closest to her will just remember her for the person that she was,” Ms Turner said.
“She kept people close.”
“She was very generous and a very kind soul.”
“Those people that know her will know exactly what she was like.”
Condolences can be emailed to the family through Thorley & Sons Funeral Services at phorder@thorleyandsons.com.au, with Mrs Mason’s name included on all correspondence.
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