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11527   Rifleman James Cassidy
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 19/01/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 15/09/1883
Died: 11/08/1915 (Killed in Action)
Age: 31
Summary      
James Cassidy was the son of Thomas and Rose Ann Cassidy. James was born on 15th September 1883 in Aughnacloy, County Tyrone. James Cassidy enlisted in Belfast. Rifleman James Cassidy was serving with the 6th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action at Gallipoli on 11th August 1915.
Further Information
James Cassidy was the son of Thomas and Rose Ann Cassidy. Thomas Cassidy and Rose O’Neill were married on 16th January 1877 in the district of Dungannon.
James William Cassidy was born on 15th September 1883. He was one of at least eight children, all born in the Aughnacloy area.
Known family: Thomas Cassidy, Rose Anne Cassidy, William Cassidy (born 27th March 1878), Mary Cassidy (born 6th February 1880), Thomas Cassidy (born 25th March 1881), James William Cassidy (born 15th September 1883), John Cassidy (born 1st July 1886), Hugh Cassidy (born 15th December 1888), Margaret Margretta Cassidy (born 15th June 1891), Mary Cassidy (born 20th March 1894).
Sometime between 1894 and 1901 the family moved to Belfast.
The 1901 census records the family as living in Murphy Street, Cromac, Belfast. James was 17 years old. He was working as a plumber. His father Thomas was a labourer.
By the time of the 1911 census his father had died. James no longer lived with the family, who were now living in Hartwell Street, Belfast.
James Cassidy enlisted in Belfast.
Medal card
Rifleman Cassidy arrived in the Balkans on 11th July 1915.
Rifleman James Cassidy was serving with the 6th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action at Gallipoli on 11th August 1915. He was 27 years old.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 7th September 1915:
Rifleman James Cassidy, 6th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, killed in action at the Dardanelles, was a son of Mrs Cassidy, 12 Hartwell Street, Belfast and the late Mr Thomas Cassidy of Branney, Aughnacloy.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 9th September 1915
Rifleman James Cassidy, 6th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, killed in action at the Dardanelles, was a son of the late Mr Thomas Cassidy of Branney, Aughnacloy.
Last will and Testament of Rifleman James Cassidy:
In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to Mrs Rose Cassidy (mother), 12 Hartwell Street, New Lodge Road, Belfast.' James Cassidy Rifleman No 11527, 6th Battalion royal Irish Rifles, 4th April 1915.
Rifleman James Cassidy has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial at Gallipoli.
The CWGC record James as the son of Rose Ann Cassidy of 131 New Lodge Road, Belfast, and the late Thomas Cassidy.
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Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Branney Aughnacloy Newspaper lists father from Branney 54.436006 -6.944489
GRONI References
TYPE - B:Birth M:Marriage D:Death | GRONI | SIBLING: brother or sister | NOTES: spelling inconsistencies, etc.
Date Type Surname First name Relationship GRONI Ref Notes
16/01/1877 M O'Neill Rose Parent M/1877/T1/1503/40/45 Oneill
16/01/1877 M Cassidy Thomas Parent M/1877/T1/1503/40/45 Oneill
27/03/1878 B Cassidy William Sibling U/1878/76/1026/5/304
06/02/1880 B Cassidy Mary Sibling U/1880/76/1026/6/60
25/03/1881 B Cassidy Thomas Sibling U/1881/76/1026/6/203
15/09/1883 B Cassidy William Sibling U/1883/76/1026/7/10
01/07/1886 B Cassidy John Sibling U/1886/76/1026/8/34
15/12/1888 B Cassidy Hugh Sibling U/1888/76/1026/8/283
15/06/1891 B Cassidy Margaret Sibling U/1891/76/1026/9/9
20/03/1894 B Cassidy Mary Sibling U/1894/76/1026/9/252 O neill
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Cassidy family Lists James as age 17 living with the family at house 5 in Murphy Street, Cromac, Antrim
2 1911 Census lists Cassidy family Does not list James as living with the family at house 19 in Hartwell Street, Dock Ward, Antrim
3 National Archives of Ireland Last Will and Testament of James Cassidy
4 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023