Pilot Officer John Casson. CGM. 160186,250 Sqdn.,Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Son of Henry and Olive Beatrice Casson,of Inyanga,Southern Rhodesia. Who died age 21. On 27 May 1944. Remembered with honour. Minturno War Cemetery. I.V.A.16. Also remembered Gosforth (St.Mary) Churchyard. Here is a link to the details of the brothers medals that went for sale at an auction and it gives an indepth detail of how Pilot Officer John Casson died a very brave man indeed PLEASE READ it is well worth it.I posted these two brothers in Clives RAFVR thread but i thought they deserved to be put in a thread of their own. Also does any one have any details on the other guys that were in the plane with John i see one didn't make but what about the others ?. Thank you for any info.you can add. Pocklington History - Pocklington WW2 Medals CGM Citations
Sergeant William Harry Casson. 778385,102 Sqdn.,Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Who died age 21. On 12 December 1942. Son of Henry and Olive Beatrice Casson,of Inganga,Southern Rhodesia. Remembered with honour. Gosforth (St,Mary) Churchyard. Does any one have any details of the chaps that also died in this crash please. Details on his death on this link. Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire.
This link has pictures of the brothers for when their medals went up for auction. Dix Noonan Webb: Medals: Auction Archive: Search Catalogue Archive: Lot 1027, 4 Apr 01
Both brothers are featured here too;- Plumtree School - Roll of Honour A to F and 778890 Flight Sergeant John CASSON, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 250 Squadron. One morning in May, 1944, this airman took part in an attack on mechanical transport on the Alatri-Frosinone Road. Despite intense opposing fire, Flight Sergeant Casson pressed home his attacks with great determination. Whilst making a second, run over the target his aircraft was hit by a shell. Flight Sergeant Casson was badly wounded in the thigh. Although faint through the loss of blood and shock, this valiant pilot flew his damaged aircraft to base. He was unable to operate one rudder-bar owing to his exhausted condition. Nevertheless, he effected a safe landing. As he was lifted from the controls, Flight Sergeant Casson collapsed. This airman displayed courage, fortitude and devotion to duty of the highest order. (London Gazette - 23 June 1944) CGM Citations Best Wishes Jim
Thanks Jim for the link on the brothers school,will that be in South Rhodesia by the way ? Regards Michael.
Thanks Jim for the link on the brothers school,will that be in South Rhodesia by the way ? Regards Michael. Good day Michael, I have a feeling the family had lived in the Gosforth (Cumbria) district and that was where the two lads who died in the war were born. You should be able to find out more from the parish records. Cross-checking with the 'Free BMD' website, there was a Harry Casson who married an Olive B. Boys (March 1920 Qtr) in St George's District, Hanover Square, London. The two sons of this marriage who lost their lives in WW2 would seem to have been born in the Whitehaven District (which I think includes Gosforth, Cumbria): William H. Casson (Sep 1921 Qtr) and John Casson (March 1923 Qtr). The mother's maiden name for these two was Boys.
Good day Michael, I have a feeling the family had lived in the Gosforth (Cumbria) district and that was where the two lads who died in the war were born. You should be able to find out more from the parish records. Cross-checking with the 'Free BMD' website, there was a Harry Casson who married an Olive B. Boys (March 1920 Qtr) in St George's District, Hanover Square, London. The two sons of this marriage who lost their lives in WW2 would seem to have been born in the Whitehaven District (which I think includes Gosforth, Cumbria): William H. Casson (Sep 1921 Qtr) and John Casson (March 1923 Qtr). The mother's maiden name for these two was Boys. That was going to be my next question what connection was there why two brothers from South Rhodesia and one buried and the other remembered in Gosforth Cumbria.Thought there must be something to connect the both but just couldn't see it. I just whish i had time to get myself down and search the records and also Whitehavens like you said in you PM. Cheers Michael.
There were a number of families with West Cumbrian connections who migrated to the then British colonies of southern Africa in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, particularly if they had experience in the mining and / or farming sectors. It looks like the Cassons were one of the families who moved out to Southern Rhodesia in the mid-1920s. For example, Ian Smith the former Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia (1964 - 1979) had West Cumbrian forebears. I seem to remember that Ian Smith's mother came from the Frizington / Arlecdon area and that his parents were married there, although Ian Smith was born out in Rhodesia. I also seem to remember reading this same Ian Smith had been a pilot in the Southern Rhodesian RAF during WW2 and had met up with relatives from Frizington during the war when he ws leave.
Sergeant William Harry Casson. 778385,102 Sqdn.,Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Who died age 21. On 12 December 1942. Son of Henry and Olive Beatrice Casson,of Inganga,Southern Rhodesia. Remembered with honour. Gosforth (St,Mary) Churchyard. Sergeant William Harry Casson had been on leave to see his relatives at Seascale the week before his death. The funeral service took place at St Cuthbert's, Seascale and then the interment in the nearby Gosforth Churchyard. These are the details from the burial register: Gosforth Parish Church, Register of Baptisms 1892-1935) [Page 18, Burial No 143] No: 143 Name: William Harry Casson Abode: Scawfell Hotel, Seascale Date of Burial: 16th December 1942 Age: 21 years By whom ceremony performed: John W. Akam, Seascale. His grandparents and parents were well known throughout the district. By all accounts Sergeant Casson had a big funeral. Michael - I have sent you a copy of the details of this via a PM.
A big THANK YOU to Ritsonvaljos for giving me this information on the burial details of Flight Sergeant William Harry Cassons funeral. Transcript from 'The Whitehaven News', Thursday 17 December 1942 (Cumbria County Archives, Reel Ref: NP05106) MILTARY FUNERAL A Popular Flight Sergeant Within a few days of spending a leave with his grandfather, Mr Harry Boys, Seascale, 21-year-old Flight-Sergeant William Harry Casson was killed during an operational flight with the R.A.F. The news was received with very deep regret by the many friends he had met during his stay at Seascale. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry W. Casson, who were particularly well known and popular in West Cumberland, and who are now living at Salisbury, Rhodesia. Flight-Sergeant Casson came to this country about 18 months ago with the Rhodesian Air Force. During his service in Britain he made many friends and was popular with all ranks in his squadron. At the funeral service at Gosforth Church yesterday a R.A.F. firing party acted as bearers and guard of honour. The service at St Cuthbert's Church, Seascale, was conducted by Canon J.W. Akam and was attended by a large number of sympathisers including many old friends of Mr. and Mrs. Casson. The service was fully choral and as the cortege passed into church the salute to the dead was given by the firing party lining the path from the gate to the chancel door. At Gosforth Churchyard where the interment took place, Canon Akam was assisted by the Rev. T.O. Sturkey. The three volleys were fired over the grave and the "Last Post" and "Reveille" were sounded by a R.A.F. bugler. Amongst the floral tributes were wreaths from the Commanding Officer and officers of Sergt. Casson's unit and from his colleagues in the sergeants' and senior N.C.O.'s mess. The Squadron was represented at the funeral by Sergt. H. Simpson, a colleague of the dead airman.
Deacs My father was at school with the Casson brothers and I am looking for further information on them. I have found most of the information described in the above posts, but I do have photos of times at Plumtree. I note your lost post was back in 2011, are still pursuing this matter? Regards Mactavish
Mactavish, Deacs did log on here a few days ago, if he has flagged this thread he will get an alert. Given how long ago he added his post in 2011, it would be better to send a PM and now you have five posts that should be available. Go to your Avatar and click on 'Start a Conversation'. Good luck.
Sorry for the late reply I've been away in my caravan and there was no Internet and bliss it was too Hello Mactavish and welcome to the forum, the only information I have is what I have posted onto this thread and what others have added I am afraid. If you would like to you can add any information you would like to share so that the Casson brothers will be remembered and not forgotten that will be brilliant. The only other thing to get more information on the brothers would be to send off for thier service records. All the best Mike
