Thomas John Casson was born circa 1886 in Lambeth, Surrey (now Greater London), the second of the seven children of James Casson (b.circa 1859) and Mary Sophia Casson née Young (circa 1866-1952). His six siblings were: Kate Blanche Casson (b.1884); Edward William Casson (1887-1936); Alfred Casson (1892-1983); Samuel Henry Casson (1900-1966); Doris Amelia Maud Casson (1904-1996) and William Christopher Casson (1908-1918).
In the 1901 census he is shown as aged 15 years and a van guard, living at 8 Williams Grove, Walworth, London, with his parents and four siblings: Kate Blanche Casson; Edward William Casson; Alfred Casson and Samuel Henry Casson. His father was described as a Covent Garden market porter.
He had just been appointed as van guard by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. He was based at Willow Walk, a railway depot next to the Bricklayers Arms railway station, Southwark and was paid 9 shillings per week. On 17 January 1903 his pay was increased to 11 shillings per week and on 5 December 1903 he was made a lamp room attendant when his pay was increased to 15 shillings per week. In February 1904 he became a van setter but resigned on 29 September 1904. Late in the 2nd half of 1905 he enlisted as a Private in the South Wales Borderers, service number 8966.
Whilst at the time of the 1911 census his family was still listed at 8 Williams Grove, Walworth, he was shown as aged 23 years and a Private in the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers, living in the Artillery Barracks, Pretoria, South Africa.
Having entered France on 14 August 1914, he was serving in his regiment's 1st Battalion when he was killed in action at Hooge, Belgium, aged 29 years, on 4 November 1914 and as he has no known grave he is commemorated on Panel 22 on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing, Menenstraat, 8900 Ieper, Belgium.
On 1 March 1915 his army effects totalling £6-5s-7d were sent to his father, who on 10 June 1919 was also sent his £5-0s-0d war gratuity. He was posthumously awarded the 1914 Star with the '5TH AUG.-22ND NOV. 1914' Clasp, the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
He is shown as T.J.CASSON on the Goods Department section of the Southern Eastern & Chatham Railway war memorial located opposite Platforms 1-8 of Victoria Railway Station, Terminus Place, London, SW1 and on a similar war memorial at Dover Marine Station (Now Cruise Terminal), Western Docks, Dover, CT17 9EQ.
He is also commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website, on the Imperial War Museum's Lives of the First World War website and on the A Street Near You website.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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