Peter Currie Cassidy (Cashley)

Killed in Action 06/04/1916 at the Battles of the Hanna and Fallahiyeh, 5th to 8th April 1916, Kut, Mesopotamia

The 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders arrived at Marseilles on the 12/10/1914. Peter arrived on the 23/08/1914 at Boulogne with the 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders. In December 1915 they moved to Mesopotamia, landing at Basra late in the month. Formation was by now renamed 21st Indian Brigade, 7th Indian Division. On the 04/02/1916, owing to heavy casualties, the Battalion formed the Highland Battalion with 2nd Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) until the 12/07/1916 when they resumed their former title. The campaign in Mesopotamia : The Turks pursued the retreating 6th (Poona) Division to Kut, and soon surrounded and cut it off. British forces in Mesopotamia were now growing, the arrival of the experienced 3rd (Lahore), 7th (Meerut) and 13th (Western) Divisions bringing a significant increase in strength. These formations were ordered to advance north along the Tigris to relieve Kut. They ran into strong and stoutly defended lines and suffered some hard knocks. Although they got close to Kut, they failed to break through and relieve it and garrison there was surrendered on 29 April 1916. It was an enormous blow to British prestige and a morale-booster for the Ottoman Empire. The siege of Kut-al-Amara (7th December 1915 - 29th April 1916) Part of efforts to relieve Kut : The Battles of the Hanna and Fallahiyeh (5th - 8th April 1916). Peter is listed as L/CPL FR CASSIDY on the Memorial. Theres also a L/CPL PR CASSIDY added to Panel 7. This looks like a duplication on the Memorial. Peter's son Daniel had a daughter called Sue (Peter's youngest Granddaughter) who is 65 years young and has helped greatly with this information and photos. Sue's father Daniel (Peter's son) also became a soldier with the Highland Light Infantry. This was Peter's Battalion when he enlisted in 1900. Peter is remembered on the St. Augustine's Roll of Honour (see photos). Also see photos for Peter's Medal Index Card, his wife Minnie, his brother Daniel, Peter and 3 of his children (probably taken when Peter was on leave), his WW1 Memorial Plaque (Dead Mans Penny), his CWGC Remembered with Honour Certificate, his Military Campaign Medal and Award Rolls (South Africa) x 2, Peter's name on the Basra Memorial, the Seaforth Highlanders Cap Badge, Peter's Pension Records x 2, his Attestation Papers x 3 (1900), the CWGC Basra Memorial Roll of Honour x 3, Peter's name in the CWGC Basra Memorial Roll of Honour, his Attestation Papers x 3, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration and his name on the Basra Memorial Panel List. Finally, see photos for Newspaper clippings x 2 (Coatbridge Express x 1 and Coatbridge Leader x 1).