PIXEL RENOSTER: 2012

Walker was 19 years, 128 days when he won the 100m sprint at the
1908 Olympic Games, making him the youngest ever winner of this
Olympic blue chip event.

REGINALD EDGAR WALKER

(March 16, 1889 - November 5, 1951)

OLYMPIC 100m CHAMPION

LONDON 1908 (IVth OLYMPIAD)

100m WORLD RECORD HOLDER

WW1 WAR VETERAN (WOUNDED)

Reg Walker's 1908 solid gold Olympic medal as well as his

springbok blazer was reported stolen in the 1930's.

His great grandson confirmed that many

of his other medals & trophies were also stolen,

or given away by Walker during his life.

This named WW1 medal group of Walker is the only

prominent "Reg Walker" memorabilia I'm aware of.

1914/15 Star (German South West Africa)

British War Medal & bilingual Victory Medal.

(Campaign in France)

Naming on the 1914/15 Star

(7th Infantry - Kimberley Regiment)


Medal Index card for German South West Africa.

4th S.A.I. medals named Lance Corporal R.E. Walker

Naming on the British War Medal &

bilingual (English/Dutch) Victory Medal.

(4th S.A.I. - South African Scottish)

Attestation paper for the campaign in France.

(February 1917)

Attestation paper for France

Reg Walker's service record confirms that he received
a gunshot wound to the head (Wounded-in-Action),
Rubber stamped on his Medal Index Card for the
1st South African Infantry Brigade in France.

Service Record for France.

Original certificate for setting a new 100metres World's Record

(Tuesday, August 4th, 1908)

On the left is an original photograph of Reg Walker

in his springbok running gear.

The pic of the stop watch was captured moments

after he set a new world's record.

On the 28th July, 2012 the Independent Newspaper group

published the following article in their Durban Saturday broadsheet.

Wonderful research by Natal history buff Mark Levin.

"Heart & Soul

Walker was way ahead of the times"

And the follow-up article by Tanya Waterworth

Saturday, 4 August 2012.

This after Walker's great grandson, Greg Bouchet

read Levin's article and made contact with the Newspaper.

"Tragedy of Durban's Olympic hero"

The following four scans are from the Independent articles.

Reg Walker wins the 100m gold medal at the

1908 London Olympic Games.

Walker always raced with the

springbok emblem on his vest.

Walker is carried off the track after winning the

gold medal at London 1908.

The 100m for men at the Olympic Games is considered as the
blue riband event of all. Herewith the exclusive club of 25 winners up to 2012:
Usain Bolt (2), Justin Gatlin, Maurice Greene, Donovan Baily, Linford Christie,
Carl Lewis (2), Allan Wells, Hasely Crawford, Valery Borzov, Jim Hines, Bob Hayes,
Armin Hary, Bobby Morrow, Lindy Remigino, Harrison Dillard, Jesse Owens,
Eddie Tolan, Percy Williams, Harold Abrahams, Charles Paddock, Ralph Craig,
Reggie Walker, Archie Hahn (2), Frank Jarvis & Tom Burke.

A short biography, extracted from Mark Levin's research article as well
as information & background history supplied by Greg Bouchet (great grandson),
are in the process of being assembled and will be edited soon.

(To be published in this space)

NB: I would be very interested
in any Reggie Walker memorabilia.
Medals, certificates, pictures,
postcards, personal letters, etc.
pixelrenoster@gmail.com

LIEUT. WILLIAM MASSON MM, DFM
The Gordon Highlanders & Army Air Corps

WW2 Glider Pilot Regiment

MILITARY MEDAL (For Bravery in the Field)

DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL (For Courage)

Military Medal, Distinguished Flying Medal, 1939/45 Star, Africa Star,

France & Germany Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal & KGVI War Medal.

William Masson

1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders.

Two Decorations:

Military Medal & Distinguished Flying Medal.

MILITARY MEDAL

FOR BRAVERY IN THE FIELD

Naming on the MM

2874921 PTE. W. MASSON. GORDONS.

William Masson was awarded the Military Medal for escaping twice in very daring fashion.

Herewith a copy of Military Intelligence's Secret Report after the interview with Masson.

See the complete transcript after the scan.

INTERVIEWED BY M.I.9 24th FEBRUARY 1941

ACCOUNT OF ESCAPE OF

2818602 PTE. C. McIVOR. 1/GORDONS, 153 BDE. ,51 DIV

and

2874291 SGT. W. MASSON, 1/GORDONS, 51 (H.D.) DIV.

CAPTURED - 12.6.40 ESCAPE - 20.6.40

RECAPTURE - 20.6.40 FINAL ESCAPE - 12.7.40

1940, 12 June CAPTURE:

We were taken prisoners on 12 June with the remnants of our Battalion at ST. VALERY-EN-CAUX. We were marched off, in a long column of P/W, through OISEMENT to SOUES, where, we passed through the town, we escaped by jumping through an open doorway.

Soon afterwards we were given civilian clothes and set off for the coast.

1940, 28 June RECAPTURE:

We were picked up a week later at night by a German patrol near MOINCOURT, between CAYEUX and AULT, where we had been looking for a boat.

Unfortunately, for us, a German sentry had been shot that evening and, as we were in civilian clothes, we were accused of having done this. On interrogation we revealed our identity and were taken, next day, to ROUEN.

1940, 4 July ROUEN:

While under guard, at ROUEN, we heard two explosions, which we were told were caused by saboteurs. Later we rejoined other P/W with whom we were marched through CAMBRAI and TOURNAY towards BRUSSELS.

1940, 12 July FINAL ESCAPE:

On 12 July, when approaching Brussels, we dodged out of the column and, when out of sight as we were still in civilian clothes, set off again.

1940, 17 July CYSOING

12 August LINE OF DEMARCATION:

We then went through VICHY, THEIRS, LYONS, ST. ETTIENNE, LE PUY, MENDE, RODEZ, ALBI, TOULOUSE, FOIX, ARLES, AXLEC-THERMES and BOURG MADAM to the Spanish frontier where we were arrested by French gendarmes and, after detention at ST, CYPRIAN we were taken to FORT ST JEAN in MARSEILLES.

We saved up money (it took some time) given us by the American Consul and bought railway tickets to BANYULS, we crossed the frontier, assisted by three young gendarmes, over to COL DE BANYULS. We were arrested in Spain and spent eight weeks' detention in various prisons before release and repatriation.

(Interviewed by MI9 on 24th February, 1941)

DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL

FOR COURAGE

Naming on the DFM

2874921 ACT W/O CL. II W. MASSON. A.A.C.

Preparing the Glider.

This Warrant Officer was a pilot in a glider-borne attack at Syracuse on the night of 9th July, 1943. Under circumstances of great difficulty and considerable enemy opposition, he succeeded in landing his glider in enemy territory without damage to the infantry men he was carrying. His skill as a pilot and his courage were an example to all. Subsequently, he displayed outstanding leadership and gallantry in an attack on a pill-box and was largely responsible for its capture. (From: WW2TALK)

Masson is also listed at PEGASUSARCHIVE - Invasion of Sicily - Five DFM's to Glider Pilots.

William Mason was born on 15 November 1912.

He is from Woodside, Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, Scotland.

Herewith a brief summary of his record of service.

Masson attested with the Gordon Highlanders on 17/11/1930. In 1941 he was decorated with the Military Medal for Bravery for his daring escape from German capture. He served with this unit until February 1942, both abroad (Gibraltar Garrison) and at home.

From there he was transferred to the Glider Pilot Regiment where he took active part in the Invasion of Sicily and was subsequently decorated with the DFM. He was promoted to Lieutenant and briefly held the rank of Temporary Captain towards the end of WW2. He was on strength with the Glider Pilot Regiment until December 1945.

The following is a letter confirming the transfer of

LT. MASSON, M.M.,D.F.M.

to the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers, The Parachute Regiment.

Also the promise of promotion to Honorary Captain the following year.

At this point he relocated to Tanganyika, East Africa.

Pte. Masson was physically very fit and a superb boxer, having won the Gordon's inter-company boxing champioships on numerous occasions. he fought as a Bantam & Light-weight.

The following is Masson's Asst. Instructor's Certificate.

dated 1933 - 1935