John Mason came to work at East Tilbury when the factory first opened in 1933 and he began by learning edge-setting in Department 421. He was however destined to become a member of the manipulation section and before the end of the year he was transferred to the bottom manipulation department. There he learned the semi-finishing of soles, insoles and heels and in 1935 he went to Zlin to perfect his knowledge.
When he returned he was made foreman of Dept. 402 and he remained there until the beginning of 1938 when he paid another visit to Zlin, this time to learn more about all sections of the bottom manipulation and wooden heels department.
In July, Mr Mason returned to East Tilbury and became chief manipulator to the leather factory. In this job he is always working ahead of everybody else and must see that materials and sundries are ready in the receiving room for the next day's production.
Not only does he deal with leather materials; he must arrange that the liquid varnish, paint and eyelets, in fact every single thing needed in shoe production, is ready for the manipulation and assembly departments for their next day's work.