Casson, William Harry
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | William Harry |
Surname | Casson |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 12-12-1942 |
Next of Kin | Son of Henry and Olive Beatrice Casson, of Inyanga, Southern Rhodesia. His Brother, Pilot Offr. John Casson, C.G.M., R.A.F. (V.R.), Also Died On Service. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | W7933 |
Markings | DY- |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Gosforth (St. Mary) Churchyard |
Grave Reference | |
Epitaph | THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD AS WE WHO ARE LEFT GROW OLD |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 142 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 778385 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 102 (Ceylon) |
Trade | WOp/AG |
Country of Origin | Rhodesia |
Other Memorials
Location | St. Catherine's Church Barmby Moor, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Roll of Honour in wall mounted wooden case, Sqn Badge above |
Memorial Text | 102 (Ceylon) Sqn Roll of Honour and Sqn badge |
Location | Pocklington Gliding Club, Pocklington Airfield, Easy Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stylised Memorial with inscribed metal plaque |
Memorial Text | Memorial to 102 (Ceylon) Sqn RAF and 405 (Vancouver) Sqn RCAF which served at RAF Pocklington during WW2 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/808/42 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/808/41 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 11-12-1942 |
End Date | 12-12-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Pocklington |
Day/Night Raid | Night (21% moon) |
Operation | Turin. 82 aircraft, 4 losses (4.8%). Many crews turned back before crossing the Alps due to extreme icing. 28 crews bombed the city but the local authorities only report 3 high explosive bombs fell, 2 of which did not explode. |
Reason for Loss | Crashed into a hillside and burst into flames near Sowerby, Yorkshire due to poor visibility |