Joseph Casson was born 14th July 1925 in Whitehaven, and was living at 75, Fleswick Avenue, Woodhouse, Whitehaven, Cumberland when he was called up. On leaving school he went to work in the local Ladysmith Coal Mine as a “Tar Plant Attendant”.

Joseph was deemed to have been a man enlisted in the Territorial Army for the duration of the Emergency under the provisions of the National Services Acts 1939 to 1941 and was formally enlisted on the 18th November 1943 for training.

He was initially assigned to the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) on the 30th December 1943, eventually being transferred to the 9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (D.L.I.) on the 28th March 1944.

Records show that the 9th Battalion, D.L.I. moved to Nightingale Wood Camp, near Southampton, on the 2nd June 1944 prior to embarking landing craft on the 5th June 1944, sailing down the Solent at 8:00pm and reaching open water at 8:30pm as part of the 50th Division.

D-Day 6th June 1944

The 50th Division was designated to land on Gold Beach, in company with the 8th Armoured Brigade. The 151st Brigade, including the 9th Battalion D.L.I., was part of the second wave, to land after the beach was secure and push inland. The Brigade was to move southwest from Gold Beach toward Route Nationale 13. The 151st Brigade came ashore as planned and got to the outskirts of Bayeux.

During the following week, the Brigade advanced past Bayeux and on the 14th June 1944, the Brigade fought in Operation “Perch” against the Panzer Lehr Division. The Brigade made the initial assault on the villages of Lingèvres and Les Verrières, which were captured by the 9th Battalion D.L.I. Later that day the Brigade and the 231st Brigade were cut off south of the villages, formed a "brigade box" and repulsed heavy German counterattacks before withdrawing.

The 9th Battalion D.L.I. entered Tilly-sur-Seulles on 20th June 1944, Private Joseph Casson is recorded as being wounded on the 21st June 1944. The 9th Battalion D.L.I. then went on to advance towards Juvigny on the 26th June 1944.

Joseph sadly died from his wounds the following day, the 27th June 1944.

Private Joseph Casson was initially buried. (Grid ref. Latitude: 49.21272° Longitude: -0.66129°)

Following a request to the authorities from his mother, Mrs Mary Ellen Casson, he was exhumed and transferred from Jérusalem War Cemetery, Chouain to Ryes War Cemetery, Bazenville, on 13th November 1944, to finally be laid to rest and lies in Plot 4, Row B, Grave 1, alongside his brother, Royal Marine Commando, Robert Casson of HQ, 4th Special Service Brigade.

In acknowledgement of the return of his personal effects, Joseph’s mother, Mrs Mary Ellen Casson, despite her grief, even took the time to add “Thank You” to the document.

A year after Robert and Joseph’s deaths, their sister Evelyn dedicated a short poem to them, which was published in the Roll of Honour section of the Whitehaven News on June 28, 1945:

Casson - In proud and loving memory of my two dear brothers, Marine Commando Robert Casson, killed in action in Normandy June 6, 1944, Pte. Joseph Casson 9th D.L.I., died of wounds in N.W. Europe, June 27, 1944

“Sleep on, my two dear brothers,

Side by side in foreign graves you lie,

You went without a last ‘Goodbye’,

And now, in God’s keeping, safely lie

St Theresa, pray for them.”

The parents of Robert and Joseph also sent these words which were published in the Whitehaven News on June 7, 1945, just a month after VE-Day.

Casson - In loving memory of our dear sons, R.M. Commando Robert Casson, killed on Normandy Beaches, June 6, 1944, aged 25 years; also, Private Joseph Casson. 9th D.L.I., died of wounds in North-West Europe, June 27, 1944, aged 18 years.

“No verse can say, no wealth repay,

For the two we lost one year ago.

On whose souls, Sweet Jesus, have mercy, R.I.P.

Our Lady of Lourdes pray for them”.

Sadly missed by their Mam, Dad, Sisters and Brothers at home, George in England, John and David overseas.

With the passing of the years and following the publication of the book “Remembering D-Day” by Martin Bowman in 2005 and the family’s subsequent correspondence with the CWGC, seeking clarification about Robert’s burial. The brothers had never been far from sister Mary Ellen's mind and in 2005 she sent these words to the Whitehaven Newpaper which were published on June 2, 2005.

Casson - Loving memories of my dear brothers, killed in action, Robert, aged 25 years Marine Commando 6th June 1944; Joseph aged 18 years, Durham Light Infantry 27th June 1944.

Worthy of Remembrance.

Loving sister, Mary.