Main CPGW Record
Surname: CASSON
Forename(s): Thomas
Place of Birth: Tatham, Lancashire
Service No: 141056
Rank: Gunner
Regiment / Corps / Service: Royal Field Artillery
Battalion / Unit: 'D' Bty 79th Brigade
Division: 17th (Northern) Division
Age: 34
Date of Death: 1917-04-14
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: III. F. 16.
CWGC Cemetery: TILLOY BRITISH CEMETERY, TILLOY-LES-MOFFLAINES
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: CLAPHAM, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: KEASDEN, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Thomas Casson was the son of William and Mary Casson, née Procter and brother of Private Robert Victor Casson (267445) (q.v.). Their father was born at Burton-in-Lonsdale, Yorkshire and mother at Tatham, Lancashire.
1891 Austwick, Yorkshire Census: Lawsings - Thos Casson, aged 7 years, born Tatham, Lancashire, son of Wm Casson, widower.
1901 Cantsfield, Lancashire Census: Cantsfield Hall - Thomas Casson, aged 17 years, born Tatham, Lancashire. [Thomas was employed by Robert Ed. Bargh, Farmer.]
1911 Over Wyresdale, Lancashire Census: Home Farm, Abbeystead - Thomas Casson, aged 28 years, born Tatham, Lancashire. [Thomas was living with Joseph Ion, Farm Bailiff.]
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Gnr Thomas Casson, 141056, R.F.A.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Gnr Thomas Casson, 141056, R.F.A. Dead 14.4.17.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Gnr Thomas Casson, 141056, D/79th Bde R.F.A. Date and Place of Death: 14.4.17. In action. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Sister and Administratrix - Mrs Elizabeth Duffy. £7 13s. 1d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) for Thomas not found.
Thomas is referred to in a letter written on the 6 May 1918 by L/Cpl John Hutchinson (267194) (q.v.).
Data Source: Local War Memorial
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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
CARSON [CASSON], Thos., R.F.A., son of Mr. Wm. Carson, Hammond Head, [Bentham], killed in action April 13, 1917.
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Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Field Artillery
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 17th (Northern) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
27 April 1917
CASSON - April 13th 1917, killed in action in France, Gunner Thomas Casson, R.F.A., son of Mr. Wm. Casson, Hammon Head, near Bentham.
27 April 1917
LOWER BENTHAM - DEAD AND WOUNDED
News was received on Monday morning last of the death of Gunner Thomas Casson, of the R.F.A., the son of Mr. William Casson of Hammon Head, near Bentham. Gunner Casson was killed along with one of his pals whilst serving his gun on the 13th April. He joined up last May and went to France in October. He was well known and highly thought of in the Bentham and Clapham district. Another of his brothers, Pte. Robert Casson, is serving in France with the Duke of Wellington's.
11 May 1917
CLAPHAM - MEMORIAL SERVICE
An impressive service was held on Sunday afternoon in Keasden Church in memory of Gunner Thomas Casson, R.F.A. Canon Briggs preached to a large congregation and made touching allusions to the deceased soldier's career. The special hymns, 'Brief life is here our portion', 'Jesu, lover of my soul', and 'Thy Kingdom come, O God', were impressively sung. The voluntaries 'O rest in the Lord' and the Dead March in 'Saul' were played by Miss Cicely McCune.
15 June 1917
CLAPHAM - MEMORIAL SERVICE
On Sunday afternoon a memorial service was held in St. James' Church for local soldiers who have fallen in battle. A large congregation assembled, amongst whom were relatives of the heroes and many were visibly affected by the solemnity of the occasion. A special form of service was used including the lesson from 1. Cor. xv. 20 - 'Now is Christ risen from the dead,' and Psalm 39 was chanted by the choir. Mr. Goddard Barker, A.R.C.O., gave as voluntaries 'Marche Funebre' (Beethoven), 'But the Lord is mindful of His own' (Mendelssohn), and 'Marche Funebre' (Chopin), and Miss A. Harrison feeling[ly] sang 'Nearer my God to Thee' (Carey). The hymns were 'Jesu, Lover of my soul' and 'Lead, Kindly Light.' Canon Rawdon Briggs preached a touching sermon from 1. Philippians, 23rd verse - 'To depart and to be with Christ, which is far better,' and in the course of his remarks said that was an occasion when the people were met to commemorate the sacredness of those dear ones who had fallen in battle. Their words and thoughts were with those who are asleep in the future beyond. There is no death, as the term is only a step into a larger and fuller life beyond. Life is one stage, a kindergarten or preparatory school and the Church states there is no death only a gateway, a closing of the eyes here and opening them there. Those near and dear heroes are moved on to another state. Their lives have not been wasted but developed to higher ones. They should be remembered in people's prayers, for they are serving on the other side of the grave. In conclusion Canon Briggs quoted the verse:-
He is not dead the child of your affection,
But gone into another school;
Where he no longer needs your protection,
For Christ Himself doth rule.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
27 April 1917
BENTHAM CASUALTIES
News was received on Monday morning last of the death in action, on April 13th, of Gunner Thomas Casson, of the R.F.A., son of Mr. Wm. Casson, of Hammond Head, near Bentham. The deceased joined up last May, and went to France in October. He was well known and highly respected in the Bentham and Clapham district. Another of his brothers, Pte. Robert Casson, is serving in France with the Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment.
26 April 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Bentham Soldier's Death
The sad news of the death of Pte. Robert Casson, R.F.A., youngest son of Mr. Wm. Casson, of Hammon Head, Mewith, Bentham, reached his father this week. He was home on leave about a month ago. This is the second son of Mr. Wm. Casson to pay the great price for his country.
Pte. Thomas Wilcock, of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, is reported missing since March 21st. He was the son of Mr. T. Wilcock, of Wenning Avenue, Bentham.
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