Bertha Betsey Mason

Bertha Bets(e)y Mason (née Kitton; 11 January 1872 – 12 March 1937) was a Colchester businesswoman.

Mason's Arclight business began making photographic paper for engineering drawing and progressed to photocopying machines and their patent Barco system.

Mason continued to be invited to official dinners and business events such as the opening of new companies and premises.

The majority of these letters were sent and received in the period just after her husband's death in 1914 and she appears to be the head of the family at this point, as well as looking after the business.

Andrew Chignell,[12] an employee at the firm (born in 1916) was employed by Mason's through the Juvenile Labour Exchange.

During the Second World War, Mason's went on to produce paper for maps and blueprints, portable photocopiers for use in lorries, as well as equipment for aircraft reconnaissance and tank landing craft.

[13] Bertha Mason died on 12 March 1937, and her funeral took place at St Nicholas' Church, High Street, Colchester.

[14] A sculptural bust of her was incorporated into the iron gates at the new factory in Cowdray Avenue,[15] but unfortunately, she died before it opened.