34th IEE Member to Fall in World War 1 – Major W Casson

Major William Casson of the 7th (City of London) Battalion The London Regiment (T.F.), died 25 September 1915, the 34th member of the IEE to die in World War 1.

William Casson passed the Matriculation Examination of London University and entered the City and Guilds Central Technical College, South Kensington, in September 1890, taking the 3 year course in electrical engineering under Professor W E Ayrton, IEE President in 1892. He obtained the Diploma of an Associate of the City and Guilds of London Institute upon course completion in 1893. The early years of his careers were spent working as an engineer and draughtsman for Electrical Installations Ltd, London, then Evershed & Vignoles Ltd, London, and finally Whitworth & Co, Newcastle-on-Tyne. This last post William resigned in 1899 to join the staff of Dr H F Parshall, Consulting Engineer, London, and for the next few years he worked on the planning and construction of the tramway system belonging to London United Tramways Ltd. In May 1905 he accepted an appointment as Sub-station engineer for Underground Electric Railways then in 1907 moved to The Central London Railway Company as Chief Assistant to the Company Engineer. When the line was taken over by The London Electric Railway Company in 1913 he was appointed Chief Assistant to the Mechanical Engineer in charge of construction of new rolling stock.

William relinquished his position on receiving mobilization orders. His unit, which constituted one of the battalions of the 2nd London Infantry Brigade of the 1st London Division, went into camp at Watford before moving to Crowhurst, Surrey to continue training. William’s Division transferred to France in March 1915 and was involved in fighting at the Battle of Aubers (9 May 1915) and the Battle of Festubert (15-25 May 1915). In September 1915 the Division took part in the Battle of Loos (25 September – 8 October). On the first day, 25 September, William’s Battalion suffered heavy casualties and of the 18 officers, who went into action, 10 were killed and 4 were wounded. William had been directed to lead his Company to secure a dangerous position and whilst the position was gained with complete success, shortly afterwards William was hit by a sniper’s bullet and killed instantaneously as he stood on a parapet rallying his men.

Major Casson’s obituary was published in the IEE World War I Honour Roll and these details have been reproduced below.