Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles Casswell a bread baker, born in the July quarter of 1864 in Peterborough, Northamptonshire (son of Thomas Casswell, 1827-1910 and Charlotte Coulson, 1829-1908) and his wife Rosetta Casswell (nee Norman, married on the 31st March 1891 in St. Peter’s Church, Oadby, Leicestershire), a bread bakers assistant, born in the October quarter of 1869 in Oadby and baptised on the 3rd April 1870 in St. Peter’s Church, Oadby (daughter of John Norman, 1839-1908 and Sarah Goddard, 1838-1929). Douglas George, a schoolboy, was born in in the July quarter of 1892 in Oadby and baptised on the 10th July 1892 in St. Peter’s Church, Oadby, his siblings were, Charles Archibald, a schoolboy, born on the 18th January 1894 in Narborough, Leicestershire and baptised on the 25th February 1894 in All Saint’s Church, Narborough and Phillis (Phyllis) Mary, born on the 2nd August 1899 in Oadby and baptised on the 15th October 1899 in St. Peter’s Church, Oadby, in March 1901 the family home was at Church Street, Oadby. In April 1911 Douglas was employed as a shoe pairing machinist and was residing in the family home at 22, Welford Road, Wigston, Leicestershire, together with his father, a journeyman baker, his mother and siblings, Charles, a hosiery trade machinist, Phyllis, a schoolgirl and John Norman, born on the 19th October 1908 in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire and baptised on the 5th March 1921 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna.
Douglas enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 16th January 1912 in Wigston Magna, and was allotted the regimental service number 1478. He gave his place of birth as Oadby, Leicester and age as 19 years 7 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as shoe hand, presently in the employ of Messrs. Knight Bros., Blaby, Leicestershire.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in South Wigston on the 24th January 1912 and recorded his birthplace as Oadby, Leicester, declared age as 19 years 210 days, trade or occupation as shoe hand, that he was 5-feet 6 inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 32 and 33½ inches, his vision was described as good and his physical development was described as normal. Enlisted at South Wigston on the 16th January 1912. Joined on enlistment 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt
His medical inspection record gave his full name as Douglas Casswell, his apparent age as 19 years 4 months, his height as 5-foot 6 inches, his chest measurement as 32 inches to 33½ inches, his vison as normal and his physical development as good.
He was certified as fit for the Territorial Force. Date 24th January 1912. Place South Wigston.
He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Mr. Charles Casswell, 22, Welford Road, Wigston Magna. Bull Head Street, Wigston Magna.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 16/1/12.
Posted. To 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 16/1/12.
Attended. Annual training Aberystwyth. 4/8/12 – 18/8/12.
Attended. Annual training, Grantham. 3/8/13 – 10/8/13.
Embodied service commenced. 5/8/14.
Embarked. With 1/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 1/3/15.
Landed. At Le Havre. 2/3/15.
Admitted. To 1/2nd North Midland Field Ambulance, influenza. 9/4/15.
Missing in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Body found by 1st Bn. Scots Guards.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 16/1/12 – 1/3/15. 3 years 45 days.
France. 2/3/15 – 13/10/15. 226 days.
Total Service. 3 years 271 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 12 Oct-15 - At 9.00 am Battalion marched to SAILLY LABOURSE. Dinners and teas were cooked here. Rations for 134 men issued. At 5.15 pm Battalion marched to VERMELLES where stores were taken up. At 11.00 pm Battalion arrived in trenches.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00 pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50 pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00 pm artillery lifted and Battalion assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lieutenant Colonel R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brigadier General KEMP. All officers of the Battalion either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battalion was relieved by part of the 139th Brigade and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Brigade 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Brigade 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
On Wednesday, November 24th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Pte. D. G. CASSWELL (1478), 1st 4th Leicester’s, has been officially reported killed on October 13th. He served four years in the 4th Leicester’s (T.F.), and was formerly a goods porter in the service of the Midland Railway Company. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Casswell, of Bull Head-street, Wigston Magna.
On Saturday, November 27th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. – LEICESTERS: FALLEN OR MISSING. - (A photograph accompanied the article). – Pte. D. G. CASSWELL, 4th Leicester’s, killed on Oct. 13th. His parents reside in Bull Head-street, Wigston Magna.