Fr Basil died at Workington On 3rd September 1955, having failed to recover from a stroke which had occurred a few days before.
Fr Basil and his brothers, as their father before them, were educated at Ampleforth. After his school life at the end of the century, he entered the business world, but soon returned to the monastery as a postulant and in 1899, he received the habit at Belmont, then the Common Novitiate of the English Benedictines.
He was ordained a priest at Ampleforth in 1907 and after two more years on the teaching staff as a Mathematical Master, he became an assistant at St Mary's, Warrington, whence he was recalled in 1916 to become the first Headmaster of the newly-opened Preparatory School, an office he held for eighteen years and during this period the school was transferred to Gilling Castle in 1930.
Following a partial breakdown in health, Fr Basil was again sent to do parish work at St Oswald's, Warrington, and later to St Michael's, Workington.
In 1938 his brother, Fr Adrian, died suddenly at Harrington, a great blow to Fr Basil as the brothers were deeply devoted to one another and often spent their holidays together.
Fr Basil then took over his brother's parish at Harrington for five years, at the end of which in failing health he was for a short period at Warwick Bridge, but the responsibilities were too much for him and after a few years as assistant at St Anne's, Liverpool, he returned to Workington and there he died last September.
Fr Basil will be remembered mainly for his work as first Headmaster of the Preparatory School, and during the eighteen years tenure of this position he achieved a great work in establishing a sound tradition and then in presiding over the transference to Gilling Castle.
Those of us whose memories go back to the last century have vivid recollections of him as a schoolboy. He was a prominent athlete and in every respect a leader with a strong sense of duty and responsibility. Outstanding as a bowler he was a member of the 1st XI for several years and ultimately its captain. He was also in the Football 1st XI. He was also a keen and observant naturalist, specializing in wild flowers so that a walk with him was an education in the botany of the countryside.
With all his occupations and interests Fr Basil never allowed extraneous matters to interfere with his monastic duties. One recalls when on holiday with him how faithful he was to his breviary which was never crowded into holes and corners. His office came first.
In later years mounting ill health clouded his life, but he never complained, though he gradually retired very much into himself, and it is characteristic of Fr Basil that he died in harness. May he rest in peace.
BASIL MAWSON 3 September 1955
1879 4 Jan Born at Bahia Brazil
1890-97 Educ Ampleforth
1899 1 Sep Habit
1900 6 Sep Simple Profession Prior Raynal
1902 18 May to 23 May Minor Orders Belmont Bishop Hedley
1903 7 Oct Solemn Vows Ampleforth Abbot Smith
1904 24 Apr Subdeacon Ampleforth Bishop Lacy
1905 2 Apr Deacon Ampleforth " "
1907 26 May Priest Ampleforth " "
Kirbymoorside
1909 18 Sep Assistant at St Mary's Warrington
1916 Aug Headmaster Ampleforth Preparatory School
1930 Took the School to Gilling & remained Headmaster
1934 Sep Assistant at St Oswald's Padgate Warrington
1935 May Assistant at Workington
1938 Nov Parish Priest at Harrington
1943 Dec Parish Priest at Warwick Bridge
1945 Sep$$ Resigned through ill-health
Assistant at St Anne's Liverpool
1950 Sep Assistant at Workington
1955 3 Sep Died at Workington