Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
George Cassy was born 1894 at Hebburn, County Durham one of 9 children of whom only 8 survived, 7 sons and a daughter. His father, a ship plater, George Pearson Cassy and mother Alice Devine were both natives of Hebburn born 1874, they married in the district of Gateshead in 1891. Ten years later living at 9, Gosforth Terrace Heworth they had 5 children, by 1911 the family was complete, their 3 eldest boys, William (18), George (17) and John (15) were all employed at the shipyards, they now lived at 12 Gosforth Terrace.
George enlisted at Jarrow, a suburb of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in 1914 assigned as Private 17981 10th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, 62nd Brigade, 21st Division and moved to Berkhamsted and then on to Halton Park near Tring for training in October. Between November 1914 and May 1915, they were in billets in Aylesbury whilst training, before returning to Halton Park. In August 1915, they moved to Witley Camp then proceeded to France, September 10th 1915, landing at Boulogne and saw action in the Battle of Loos, September 25th-October 10th 1915.
Private 17981 George Cassy Yorkshire Regiment was killed in action September 26-29th 1915, two weeks after his arrival on the Western Front, aged 21 years and single. The CWGC have adopted the date of September 29th 1915 as the date of his demise. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 20,610 names inscribed on the Loos Memorial which forms the backdrop to Dud Corner Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, commemorating British and Commonwealth servicemen who died in the sector and have no known grave.
His mother Alice received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
George is listed by the CWGC under the surname Cassy, his brother William also enlisted using the same spelling, however, he is listed by them as Cassey. William Cassy enlisted and was assigned as Private 1549, E Coy 1st/9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was killed during the actions on the Somme, September 16th 1916 leaving a widow and 3 children. Recipient of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
George and William’s mother Alice Cassy nee Devine of 10, Duke Street, Pelaw, County Durham, died aged 69 years, April 7th 1942, leaving the sum of 607 pounds 0 shillings 10 pence to her husband. George Pearson Cassy of the same address died April 5th 1943 leaving all his effects in the sum of 453 pounds 9 shillings 3 pence to his only daughter, Olive Falconer, (wife of John Baden Powell Falconer).
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
George Cassy is remembered at Felling on F32.06 and as George Cassey at Heworth on H92.03
