The Three Sons of Richard and Elizabeth Mason of The Leys, Badsey

From left to right, Herbert Harry, born 1880, Ernest William, born 1877, Charles Robert, born 1879.

Their mother, Elizabeth (nee Ankers), died shortly after the birth of Herbert Harry, who was always known as 'Harry'.  After her death, the three small boys never lived together again and it was for this reason that it was decided that they should be photographed together.  This took place in around 1892/93. 

Ernest went to live with his father's sister, Jane Vicarage, and her husband, John, who had no children, firstly in Badsey then in Offenham.

Charles lived with his grandparents, Robert and Jane Mason, in The Leys, Badsey until his father's marriage (26th September 1881) to Hannah Wynde. He went to live with them in and around Stratford upon Avon.  He later went to live with his uncle, John Mason at The Old Vicarage, Wickhamford at the age of 12 to work on his uncle's market garden.

Harry lived with another of his father's childless sisters, Elizabeth White, and her husband Enoch in Childswickham.  He eventually changed his surname to 'White'.  He was killed in the Great War.