Frederick Cass
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Frederick Cass was born in 1897 at Nottingham, he was the son of Samuel a beerhouse keeper and Mary Elizabeth Cass who kept the General Havelock public house on Ronald Street Radford Nottingham in 1911.
His father Samuel was born in 1872 at Nottingham, his mother Mary Elizabeth Langham was born in 1872 at Nottingham, they were married in 1890 at Nottingham, they had 6 children, sadly two died in infancy or early childhood, he had three surviving brothers. Samuel was killed in action 22/5/1916 and Charlie and Will also served.
In the 1911 census the family were living at the General Havelock, 31 Ronald Street, Nottingham Samuel 39 yrs is a beerhouse keeper, he is living withhis wife Mary E 39 yrs a beerhouse keeper and their children, Samuel 19 yrs a hotel worker, Frederick 14yrs a scholar and Charles 12 yrs a scholar.
Lance Corporal Fred Cass enlisted at Nottingham, he served in the 13th Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps,he was killed in action on 24 April 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France (Bay 7).
CWGC Arras Memorial (extract). The Arras Memorial is in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery. 'The French handed over Arras to Commonwealth forces in the spring of 1916 and the system of tunnels upon which the town is built were used and developed in preparation for the major offensive planned for April 1917 . .. The Commonwealth section of the Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery was begun in March 1916, behind the French military cemetery established earlier. It continued to be used by field ambulances and fighting units until November 1918. The cemetery was enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields and from two smaller cemeteries in the vicinity.' (www.cwgc.org)
His brother, 90041 Bombardier Samuel Edward Cass, D Bty 50th Bde Royal Field Artillery died of wounds on 22 May 1916. He is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension. CWGC personal inscription on headstone: 'Also in memory of Lce. Cpl Fred. Cass died 24th April 1917 always remembered.' Brother, R9274 L/Cpl Frederick Cass King's Royal Rifle Corps commemorated on the Arras Memorial (see record on this ROH).
Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 14 May 1917 (abridged): 'Cass. Killed in action April 24th, Lance Corporal Fred Cass, King's Royal Rifle Corps, in his 21st year. Third son of Samuel and ME Cass, 69 Mitchell Street, Radford. Mother father and two brothers, Charlie and Will [John William], in France.'
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 22 May 1917: ‘Cass. In loving memory of Bombardier Samuel Cass, RFA, beloved and eldest son of Samuel and ME Cass, 69, Mitchell-street, who died of wounds received in action the day previous, May 22nd 1916. Also his brother, Lance-Corporal Fred Cass, KRR, killed in action April 24th, 1917. So sad but so true, we cannot tell why, the best are the first who are called to die. Sorrowing mother and father and soldier brothers Charlie and Will (in France).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘1914-1918’, 24 April 1925: ‘Cass. Treasured memories of our dear son, Fred, killed in action April 24th, 1917. Worthy of remembrance. Mother, dad, and brothers.’ (www/britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘1914-1918’, 24 April 1931: ‘Cass. Loving memories of Fred, killed April 24th 1917. Remembered. Mother, dad, brothers, 1917.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 14 July 1945: ‘Cass. July 12th at General Hospital. Mary Elizabeth, beloved wife of the late Samuel John and mother of Will [John William], Charles, Samuel [deceased] and Fred [deceased],’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Probate: Cass Mary Elizabeth of 69 Mitchell-street Radford Nottingham widow died 12 July 1945 at The General Hospital Nottingham Administration Nottingham 21 August to John William Cass munition worker. Effects £148 8s. 9d.
Photo of Frederick Cass commemorated on the Arras Memorial
Arras Memorial (www.cwgc.org)