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Cass, Edward Earnshaw Eden "Copper"

    Date of birth:
    March 3rd, 1898 (Ravenglass, UK)
    Date of death:
    August 31st, 1968
    Service number:
    11988
    Nationality:
    British

    Biography

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    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Rank:
    Lieutenant
    Awarded on:
    January 11th, 1919
    "For conspicuous gallantry and leadership. This officer led his company in the attack straight to its objective, rushing and capturing many machine guns and prisoners. On arrival he reorganised his company, and with another on his right secured a further 400 yards of ground, which he skilfully held and consolidated, repulsing repeated bombing attacks. He set a personal example of the highest order to his company."
    Military Cross (MC)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Lieutenant-Colonel
    Unit:
    1st Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, British Army
    Awarded on:
    August 6th, 1940

    Awarded as bar on the ribbon of the first medal.
    Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Temporary Brigadier
    Awarded on:
    March 23rd, 1944
    Awarded for:
    Operation Husky
    Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Temporary Brigadier
    Awarded on:
    June 20th, 1944
    Silver Star Medal (SSM)

    War Diary mentions

    27 September 1944 WO 171/617 - 9 Infantry Brigade
    Brig Cass visited this HQ on a visit to Bde Comd and left at 1635 hrs.

    10 October 1944 WO 171/1251 - 4 Coldstream Guards
    Commanding Offrs and sqn commanders met 8 Inf Bde Commander ( Brig Cass ) at 1000 hrs for recce and orders. Later tp commanders met their coy commanders. A most unpleasant day with continuous heavy rain which left all the tracks almost impassable to wheeled vehicles.

    17 November 1944 WO 171/1397 - 2 East Yorkshire Regiment
    Brigadier with C.O. 1 Suffolks and 1 S Lancs visit the C.O. 2 E Yorks in the evening.

    20 November 1944 WO 171/1397 - 2 East Yorkshire Regiment
    Brigadier visited the Bn and looked over the Coy posns accompanied by the C.O. Enemy seen entering trench at 1640 hrs near building 799326. Mortaring and slight shelling during day.

    17 December 1944 WO 171/1397 - 2 East Yorkshire Regiment
    The Brigade Commander presented certificates of award to Officers and NCOs of the battalion, followed by a march past.

    19 December 1944 WO 171/1397 - 2 East Yorkshire Regiment
    Brigadier visited battalion in the afternoon, and went round billetting area with 2i/c.

    Sources

    Photo