WW1 Casualty: Private 20484 Thomas Caslin - Private 20484 Thomas Caslin
Picture kindly provided by the Caslin family
| Unit/Regiment |
South Lancashire Regiment |
| Date of Death |
21/05/1919 |
Age at Death |
47 |
| Burial/Memorial |
Prescot Churchyard |
| Census Details |
1901 census -
Thomas Caslin is shown as a 28 year old Coal Miner living at 14, Highfield Place, Prescot. He is married to Elizabeth (25) and they have two daughters, Margaret (5) and Annie (1).
His death certificate shows that he died at home, 6 Mill Street, Prescot in 1919
1911 Census -
The Caslin family lived at 14, Market Place, Prescot and comprised Thomas (38) and Elizabeth (36) with their children Margaret (15), Peter (9) and Joseph (2). |
| Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations |
Married Elizabeth Mercer, Q2/1895, Prescot, 8b, 1051
Death registered Q2/1919, Prescot, 8b, 650 |
| Notes |
Also 492523, Labour Corps and 292450 Border Regiment.
Next service number to Thomas Chadwick, suggesting that perhaps they were friends who enlisted together, |
| Research Ref. No. |
P046 |
Service Details
LIverpool Mercury, 4th February 1891
The image above is the first mention I can find of Thomas Caslin. He was aged 19 at the time, and Peter was his 16 year old brother. They lived at 12, Tea Street, Prescot. Their friend, James Grey, was 20 and lived at Lord's Court, off High Street. All three of them worked as Coal Miners at the time.
The 1901 and 1911 census records show Thomas Caslin as being born in Garston around 1872. He married Elizabeth Mercer in Prescot in 1895.
On the 1911 census, Thomas recorded that they had 10 children, but 7 of those had died. It would appear that the following were the Caslin children's deaths - Mary(May?) (1898, 1 month), Annie (1904, 4 years), Thomas (1904, no age), Elizabeth (1905, no age), William (1905, 2 months), John (1906, 3 months), James (1907, 12 days).
Thomas, aged 38, was working as a Machinist at the Wire Works.
Thomas Caslin's pension records at the National Archives show that he enlisted in St Helens on 8th September 1914 at the age of 41 years 10 months old, signing on for the duration of the war. He is shown to be a Roman Catholic. He enlisted in the South Lancashire Regiment as Private 20484.
His casualty form notes that he embarked from Southampton on 6th November 1915. He had medical treatment on 11th December 1915 but was returned to duty. His record then shows a succession of treatments from 25th December 1915 to 29th April 1916 at places such as Rouen and Etaples,
On 1st May 1916 he was at Calais then on 15th May he returned to England. On 11th July 1917 he was transferred to 11th Bedfords, and then he is shown being transferred from the 'B' Company, 11th Battalion, Bedfordshire regiment, as Private 292450, to the Labour Corps in Lowestoft.
His medical report dated 19th February 1918 at Beddington, near Croydon again shows his disability to be 'Incontinence of Urine', further saying that it occurred initially in May 1916 in France and 'Patient states that whilst in France he first noticed that he wet his clothes. He was sent to Rouen No 8 General Hospital then invalided to England in June 1916'. Another note says 'First admitted to hospital for incontinence of urine 11th March 1916'. The cause of his disability is shown as 'ordinary military service during the present war'. His present condition is 'Frequently gets up at night to pass water and also passes it whilst sleeping' and 'backache'. He is also shown to have 'lost most of his teeth', is of 'poor physique and has evidently lost weight' and is finally recommended for 'Discharge as permanently unfit' by Lt. W. W. Walker of the Royal Army Medical Corps.
On 7th March 1918 at Nottingham, his final date of discharge was confirmed as 26th March 1918, having served 3 years and 200 days with the Colours. His discharge paper notes that he served in France from 6th November 1915 to 13th May 1916.
His pension sheet states 'Cause of Discharge' to be 'Physically unfit' due to 'Incontinence of Urine' caused by exposure whilst on active service. His disability is classified as 'Permanent' and he was awarded a 20% pension with an expiry date of 25th March 1919.
He is shown to have three dependent children. Joseph, born 01/03/09, Lily Mary (24/03/12) and Francis (07/10/15).
At the time of discharge, he is shown as serving with 363 Reserve Employment Company, Labour Corps as Private 492523. Further he is shown to be 45 years old, 5 foot 6 inches tall and of a fresh complexion. He had Grey eyes and Dark Brown hair. His pre-war trade was shown to be 'Machine Hand' and his home address as 6 Mill Street, Prescot, Lancashire.
He was discharged under Kings Regulations Para 392 'No Longer Physically Fit For Service'. His character was shown to be 'Good' and it was stated that his disability was due to active service.
On 21st November 1918, his review took place at Parr Hall, Warrington with a result of his pension being set to 80% with a review requested in 6 months, plus hospital treatment. This review also notes that he is suffering from hypertrophy of the liver, aggravated by military service.
His pension award is shown as 22 shillings per week, with an additional 12s 8d for his three children.
His pension papers note that he died on 21st May 1919.
Notification of Thomas Caslin's death in 1919
Thomas Caslin's Medal Index Card listing his entitlement to the 1914-1915 Star, having arrived in France on 6th November 1915, in addition to the British War Medal and Victory Medal. It also notes his discharge date of 26th March 1918.
Above and below are extracts from Thomas Caslin's Death Certificate
The burial register entry for Thomas Caslin
October 2007
My research has shown that Thomas Caslin is not commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). This happened to many men who died after discharge. Based on the information shown above, which to me clearly links Thomas' death with his military service, I have submitted a case to CWGC for him to be commemorated.
November 2011
Some four years after submitting his case to CWGC, I have now been advised that Thomas is to be commemorated as a casualty of the Great War. Hopefully, a CWGC stone will be erected in St Mary's Churchyard - please keep an eye on this page for any developments.
December 2012
CWGC have now accepted that Thomas rests in St Mary's and so plans are in hand to erect a CWGC stone for him.
14th March 2014
Thomas Caslin's headstone has now been erected in St Mary's Churchyard. The images below, kindly provided by Les Birchall, show the newly erected stone
His brother, John Caslin, also served
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