State Funeral for Western Australia's last WWI veteran

[SimonBl]

A State Funeral was held today for Western Australia's last World War I veteran. Mr Casserly was 107 and was only 17 when he joined up. I believe there are only 2 surviving WWI veterans left in Australia.

It was a gloomy day at St Patrick's Basilica in Fremantle, but perhaps that was appropriate.

Lest we Forget

PS: I asked permission before taking the photo's inside the Basilica, although I didn't use flash and had to use a high ISO as a result. Thank goodness for the 20D's low light capabilities!

Here are a couple of my favourites:

http://www.pbase.com/simonb/image/45553887.jpg

(The light was that colour, due to the stained glass windows)

http://www.pbase.com/simonb/image/45554369.jpg

(I know the doorway lighting is blownout, but it seems to work).

http://www.pbase.com/simonb/image/45555360.jpg

(Note the ex-digger in the background, I wish I'd seen him while I took it so I could have had him in focus)

The full gallery is located here: http://www.pbase.com/simonb/state_funeral

Comments welcome!

Simon....

[Andy_T]

Some nice images there, I think you did a good job :D
Obviously your vantage point was not always optimal, though :confused:

Just a sidenote ... you should really increase the ISO on your camera.
The 20D has virtually no noise up to ISO 400, and with noise reduction, even ISO 1600 is very usable.

If I look at the 'Paying of respects from Army and Navy' (http://www.pbase.com/simonb/image/45555600) image, that I like a lot, I see it was taken with the 18-55 kit lens at 55 mm, f/5.6, 1/40 second, ISO 100. I am not too amazed that it is not as sharp as it could be.

My suggestion would be to also try something like ISO 400, f/6.3, 1/125 , or even ISO 800, f/8.0, 1/125 instead. The resulting image might just be a lot sharper.

Best regards,
Andy

[dewmuw]

Thanks for sharing.

The door lightway does work for me - symbolic of moving into a new journey almost.

Glad to see he got a good send off - too few people today remember what we owe to our veterans.

[SimonBl]

Some nice images there, I think you did a good job :D
Obviously your vantage point was not always optimal, though :confused:

No, and I was terribly recognising of the fact that I was in a church, at someone's funeral. The 20D's shutter sounds REAL loud in that environment!

Just a sidenote ... you should really increase the ISO on your camera. The 20D has virtually no noise up to ISO 400, and with noise reduction, even ISO 1600 is very usable.

Good advice and I was conscious of that inside, but didn't really think about it outside.

If I look at the 'Paying of respects from Army and Navy' (http://www.pbase.com/simonb/image/45555600) image, that I like a lot, I see it was taken with the 18-55 kit lens at 55 mm, f/5.6, 1/40 second, ISO 100. I am not too amazed that it is not as sharp as it could be.

There's camera movement in there if you look closely (look at the shoulder insignia) :o. I saw that when processing it, but I liked it too much to throw it away. It's also quite a severe crop of the original (I'm also trying to learn to crop tight), so that loses some quality too.

My suggestion would be to also try something like ISO 400, f/6.3, 1/125 , or even ISO 800, f/8.0, 1/125 instead. The resulting image might just be a lot sharper.

Thanks. I had my 50mm 1.8 with me, but I think things would have been a bit tight with that, so didn't try it.

I am getting a couple of new lenses tomorrow, of all days, so will be giving them a good workout over the next few weeks (10-22 and 70-200 f4).

Thanks very much for your comments, very helpful.

Simon....

[Andy_T]

No, and I was terribly recognising of the fact that I was in a church, at someone's funeral. The 20D's shutter sounds REAL loud in that environment!

That is quite considerate of you.

Thanks. I had my 50mm 1.8 with me, but I think things would have been a bit tight with that, so didn't try it.


I was going to suggest getting that lens :D
The 50/1.8 at f/5.6 produces stunning results.

I believe there are only 2 surviving WWI veterans left in Australia.

So you might have 2 more chances :twisted:

I admit that was bad taste :o

Best regards,
Andy

[SimonBl]

The door lightway does work for me - symbolic of moving into a new journey almost.

Exactly what I thought, thanks.

Glad to see he got a good send off - too few people today remember what we owe to our veterans.

Yes, it was covered on all 4 TV stations here and there were significant press present, so he certainly got a good send off. A lot of peple, myself included, stood outside at the start as we weren't sure if we were 'allowed' in, but then a few brave souls ventured through the doors and weren't ejected, so we all followed suit. Almost standing room only, some good laughs and good applause.

I don't know if you've ever heard the sound of the 'Last Post' by a bugler, but there wouldn't have been a dry eye in the 'house'. Very moving stuff.

I am glad I went.

Thanks for commenting.

Simon....

[SimonBl]

That is quite considerate of you.
Not really (well, I suppose it was), I was dead scared of being ejected!

I was asked by someone 'official looking' if I was with "the media or family" after I took the first shot (I only took 3 of the interior and about 4 in the entrance way) and I said no, much to his surprise (he asked me again). He then asked me later what I was taking photos for, and I just replied "Just as a hobby and out of interest". I confirmed that was okay and he just replied that they put quite tight reins on the official media and some of them could get upset if they saw me in a good spot, so to try and stay inconspicuous. So, I did.

So you might have 2 more chances :twisted:

I admit that was bad taste :o


Andy, Andy... They're on the other side of the country, so...

[SimonBl]

Have added comments to the images on Pbase, if anyone's interested.

[Skip Souza]

You did a fine job with the images on Pbase. Unfortunately there will be a next time but you will do even better with what you have learned here.
We must never forget.

[SimonBl]

You did a fine job with the images on Pbase. Unfortunately there will be a next time but you will do even better with what you have learned here. We must never forget.

Thanks Skip, appreciate the comments. It is comforting (I had to pause for a sec to think of an appropriate word) to know that the ANZAC Day Dawn Service here in Perth breaks attendance records year after year of late.

Simon....

[Carzee]

http://www.defence.gov.au/ARMY/8cer/main_files/RAE_badge_sml.jpg




FYI. We were on parade at the School of Mil Engineering Holsworthy (w Sydney) during the funeral. It was the RAE 103rd Birthday and a march out of 2 to 3 platoons of new sappers. The Head of Corps spoke -at length- on the passing of the last man present at the Western Front. He was quite proud "the last man out" was a sapper, to say the least, and let the new sappers hear about their fellow who had enlisted -under age- in 1917. He had come home and only attended one ANZAC march in 1922 I think. That was it. Must've seen horrors as a sapper. 3 battles. Those new fangled Tanks going into service... Recently he had attended ANZAC days... we had a minutes silence under beautiful winter deep blue skies. Blue & free....


Good to see some of the funeral thru your pictures. We were still travelling and we missed the Tv news coverage.

[SimonBl]

Carzee,

Thanks for your information, most interesting. At one point during the eulogy yesterday, someone spoke about the armoured steam trains making their way to the front with equipment and men and returning with injured all the time being shelled. Strangely enough, I don't think I'd ever heard of that before.

Oh yes, Mr Casserly didn't attend any ANZAC day marches, except for the last 2. I have a photo of him leading this years parade, but he didn't look well so I didn't process or post it.

Glad I could share the photos.

Some of you maybe interested in the text from "The West Australian" newspaper today:

Digger's passing stills the Doctor
GRIFFIN LONGLEY http://www.thewest.com.au/assets/dinkus/dot_clear.gif http://www.thewest.com.au/assets/dinkus/dot_clear.gif http://www.thewest.com.au/assets/dinkus/dot_clear.gif http://www.thewest.com.au/assets/dinkus/dot_clear.gif http://www.thewest.com.au/assets/dinkus/dot_clear.gif
Even the Fremantle Doctor was hushed as WA farewelled Peter Casserly, our last World War I Digger, at a State funeral in the port city yesterday.

Mr Casserly died in his sleep last week at the remarkable age of 107.

Ninety-six years to the day since Mr Casserly returned from service on the Western Front, his family and friends told of his larrikinism and of his love for his late wife of 80 years, Monica, as they sent him on his last journey. For them, and perhaps most for his remaining son Peter Casserly Jr, the pain of the day was clear.

"To our family Pop was someone who along with Grandma constantly warmed our hearts and energised our spirits," Stephen Casserly, Mr Casserly's grandson, said in his eulogy. "A visit to Pop and Gran's was enough to charge you up for months and fuel your aspirations."

But it wasn't just family who joined the service at theBasilica of St Patrick. Of the near-500 in attendance, many had never met Mr Casserly. Among them were the elderly with walking frames and in wheelchairs, dignitaries, veterans, children and locals. All there to pay respects to the man, and to the generation he came to represent.

"Peter's is not a story of conspicuous gallantry, of storming trenches or heroic deeds on far-off battlefields," the Governor, Lt-Gen. John Sanderson, clearly emotional, said in his eulogy. "His is the story of the thousands upon thousands of ordinary Australians who played their part, endured the horror, the immeasurable danger and the lingering torment and hatred of war that coming home brought. We remember them now with gratitude."

Having lived in three centuries, Mr Casserly was also witness to a period of change unrivalled in history. "Born in 1898, he missed the birth of Karl Benz's four-wheeled carriage by five years, but was already a five-year-old boy when the Wright brothers demonstrated motorised flight," another grandson, Peter Casserly Jr, said.

Mr Casserly was three years old when Australia became an independent nation, and the flag draped over his coffin as he was carried to the hearse was not adopted until he was a 56-year-old man. For those who came to honour his passing this sense of history was palpable. The last of "our Diggers" was gone.

"Much and all as he would be uncomfortable with it, to the people of Australia Peter Casserly is now a hero, who played an important part in the defining of our nation," Lt-Gen. Sanderson said. "He was also a proud Freo boy, a proud Western Australian and a proud Aussie. But we should never forget he was first a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather and a great-great-grandfather. And those are the things that defined him and made his struggle worthwhile."

Simon....

[marie]

Some of you maybe interested in the text from "The West Australian" newspaper today:

Digger's passing stills the Doctor
GRIFFIN LONGLEY http://www.thewest.com.au/assets/dinkus/dot_clear.gif http://www.thewest.com.au/assets/dinkus/dot_clear.gif http://www.thewest.com.au/assets/dinkus/dot_clear.gif http://www.thewest.com.au/assets/dinkus/dot_clear.gif http://www.thewest.com.au/assets/dinkus/dot_clear.gif
Even the Fremantle Doctor was hushed as WA farewelled Peter Casserly, our last World War I Digger, at a State funeral in the port city yesterday.

Mr Casserly died in his sleep last week at the remarkable age of 107.

Ninety-six years to the day since Mr Casserly returned from service on the Western Front, his family and friends told of his larrikinism and of his love for his late wife of 80 years, Monica, as they sent him on his last journey. For them, and perhaps most for his remaining son Peter Casserly Jr, the pain of the day was clear.

"To our family Pop was someone who along with Grandma constantly warmed our hearts and energised our spirits," Stephen Casserly, Mr Casserly's grandson, said in his eulogy. "A visit to Pop and Gran's was enough to charge you up for months and fuel your aspirations."

But it wasn't just family who joined the service at theBasilica of St Patrick. Of the near-500 in attendance, many had never met Mr Casserly. Among them were the elderly with walking frames and in wheelchairs, dignitaries, veterans, children and locals. All there to pay respects to the man, and to the generation he came to represent.

"Peter's is not a story of conspicuous gallantry, of storming trenches or heroic deeds on far-off battlefields," the Governor, Lt-Gen. John Sanderson, clearly emotional, said in his eulogy. "His is the story of the thousands upon thousands of ordinary Australians who played their part, endured the horror, the immeasurable danger and the lingering torment and hatred of war that coming home brought. We remember them now with gratitude."

Having lived in three centuries, Mr Casserly was also witness to a period of change unrivalled in history. "Born in 1898, he missed the birth of Karl Benz's four-wheeled carriage by five years, but was already a five-year-old boy when the Wright brothers demonstrated motorised flight," another grandson, Peter Casserly Jr, said.

Mr Casserly was three years old when Australia became an independent nation, and the flag draped over his coffin as he was carried to the hearse was not adopted until he was a 56-year-old man. For those who came to honour his passing this sense of history was palpable. The last of "our Diggers" was gone.

"Much and all as he would be uncomfortable with it, to the people of Australia Peter Casserly is now a hero, who played an important part in the defining of our nation," Lt-Gen. Sanderson said. "He was also a proud Freo boy, a proud Western Australian and a proud Aussie. But we should never forget he was first a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather and a great-great-grandfather. And those are the things that defined him and made his struggle worthwhile."

Simon....


that's beautiful , as are the photos Simon
I like the black band (frame ) you have around them too
gives a look of respect
like the cards we print when someone dies
here it seems a perfect choice on the pictures

when I saw the name Casserly I said to myself 'he had to have been from an Irish Background'

the name sticks in my mind as many years ago there was a child kidnapping over here and the child's name was Casserly


I found some more details , also that Peter Casserly's father was Irish
>


Early Years 1898-1917

Casserly was born in Perth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perth%2C_Western_Australia). His Irish-born father had moved to Western Australia in search of gold but ended up working for the railways and on the wharves, barely earning enough to put food on the table for his 11 children.

He attended the Christian Brothers College in Perth until he left school at 13 to become an blacksmith's apprentice and was working at the blacksmiths when World War I commenced. Casserly later worked as a fireman for the West Australian Railways (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transwa) in 1917 when he saw an advertisement by the Australian army for experienced railwaymen to serve in France and enlisted on St Patrick's Day.

[edit (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peter_Casserly&action=edit&section=2)]


World War I service 1917-1919

Casserly was sent to a training camp in Melbourne before leaving for France. When his troop carrier, the Ascanius, was moored off Fremantle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fremantle%2C_Western_Australia) he was refused permission to say goodbye to his mother so he sent her a message in a bottle which was found and sent to her.

On arrival in France, he was sent to the Somme (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somme) where he served as an armed guard with the 2nd Transport Unit. The trains to and from the battlefront were subject to frequent bombardment from the Germans. Casserly served with the 2nd, 5th and 16th Railway Transport Units in Belgium and France. He also served as a sapper supporting Australian and British forces fighting in Ypres (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ypres), Armentières (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenti%C3%A8res) and Amiens (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amiens).

After the ceasefire Casserly was involved in cleaning up until his discharge on September 11, 1919. After the war he made a decision never to serve in the armed forces again. He only attended two Anzac Day (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anzac_Day) marches in his life - the second in 1917 and in 2004 when he was driven as the guest of honour.

[edit (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peter_Casserly&action=edit&section=3)]


Remainder of Life 1919-2005

Casserly returned to Fremantle after the war, where he worked as a wharf labourer, timber worker, seaman, and fisherman. He started his own timber yard, then established a cray fishing service. Casserly won a Royal Humane Society (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Humane_Society) bravery award for saving a man from drowning.

Casserly married Monica Delgardo, born in the Philippines, in 1923. The couple had two sons. Their marriage lasted for 80 years and is believed to be Australia's longest nuptial union ending in 2004 when Monica died. The couple lived for many years in the White Gum Valley (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=White_Gum_Valley&action=edit) near Perth in a home that Casserly built. After they both turned 100 the couple moved into the Craigville Gardens in Melville, Western Australia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melville%2C_Western_Australia).

Casserly was awarded the 80th anniversary armistice medal in 1999 and was part of a contingent of surviving veterans to tour the Western Front in 1993. Although fifty Australian servicemen received the Légion d'honneur (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A9gion_d%27honneur), Casserly did not, because he had hit an officer whom he felt was treating him badly. John Howard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Howard) presented him with a Centenary Medal in 2001 in honour of the 100th anniversary of Australian Federation.

[edit (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peter_Casserly&action=edit&section=4)]


References

Sydney Morning Herald obituary, 25 June 2005 (http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/last-wwi-digger-dies-aged-107/2005/06/24/1119321905854.html)
Associated Press obituary (http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050625/ap_on_re_au_an/obit_oldest_wwi_vet)
The Australian obituary (http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,15722911%255E31477,00.html)
De-Anne Kelly, Minister for Veteran Affairs media release 24 June 2005 (http://minister.dva.gov.au/media_releases/2005/06_jun/va068.htm)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Casserly (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Casserly)"

http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/42282.html

many thanks Simon

lovely stuff
pictures to treasure
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_cool.gif

[SimonBl]

that's beautiful , as are the photos Simon
I like the black band (frame ) you have around them too
gives a look of respect
like the cards we print when someone dies
here it seems a perfect choice on the pictures

Thanks, these are courtesy of a fantastic framing script that I found in the post-processing forum. Let me know if you can't find it.

when I saw the name Casserly I said to myself 'he had to have been from an Irish Background'

Of course! Didn't even occur to me.

I found some more details , also that Peter Casserly's father was Irish

Well done, Marie! What an amazing world we live in today, what would we have done without the Internet?

Thanks very much for the additional information. I'm thinking of getting them printed and somehow (shouldn't be too hard) gettting them to the family, what do you think? An intrusion?

Oh, one thing which hasn't come out in the media as yet, during his grand-son's eulogy yesterday, he told of a trip that the family were planning to (I think) Sydney a couple of years ago. When Mr Casserly was told, he asked them to look up an old friend of his from the war and to pass on his regards as being one of the best blokes he'd known. Apparently, he'd taken Mr Casserly under his wing somewhat during his 'tour'. His grandson went on to explain, to great laughter, that although his grand-dad was 19 at the time, the other fellow over 50 ... Maybe you had to be there, but it was a touching moment.

Simon....

[marie]

Thanks, these are courtesy of a fantastic framing script that I found in the post-processing forum. Let me know if you can't find it.
[/color]

thanks Simon
no.
I don't know about it

Of course! Didn't even occur to me.
Well done, Marie! What an amazing world we live in today,

what would we have done without the Internet?


I was in the library a lot, looking up 'things' before the internet

wonderful now altogether
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_cool.gif

Thanks very much for the additional information. I'm thinking of getting them printed and somehow (shouldn't be too hard) gettting them to the family, what do you think? An intrusion?

no way
not with him being the age he was, they will really appreciate it very much
(I would imagine)
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_confused.gif


Oh, one thing which hasn't come out in the media as yet, during his grand-son's eulogy yesterday, he told of a trip that the family were planning to (I think) Sydney a couple of years ago. When Mr Casserly was told, he asked them to look up an old friend of his from the war and to pass on his regards as being one of the best blokes he'd known. Apparently, he'd taken Mr Casserly under his wing somewhat during his 'tour'. His grandson went on to explain, to great laughter, that although his grand-dad was 19 at the time, the other fellow over 50 ... Maybe you had to be there, but it was a touching moment.

Simon....


very nice stories all 'round
must have been a wonderful funeral in many ways
many tales to tell , by everyone, after such a long full life

best of luck

I think they will all love and appreciate the pictures

[Titus213]

Great post and fascinating thread in general. Yes, we must never forget what they have done for us all.

[Skip Souza]

Simon, Carzee, Marie, you have all about caused me to short out my keyboard. Beautiful all.

[SimonBl]

Marie, here's the thread for the script: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=75175

Skip, glad I wasn't the only one. Titus213, you're welcome.

Simon....

[marie]

Marie, here's the thread for the script: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=75175

Skip, glad I wasn't the only one. Titus213, you're welcome.

Simon....


thanks Simon
and good luck with the pictures :cool:

thanks Skip etc re article

:)

[SimonBl]

Just a brief note to all, a family member visited my Pbase site yesterday and left a lovely private note in the guestbook after viewing the fallery of Mr Peter Casserly's State Funeral.

I have emailed them a link to this thread and offered copies of any of my photos that they or the family may like.

Thanks to you all for your kind comments and feedback, this has been a very special thread for me and I am sure that the family will feel the same way if / when they view it.

Regards,

Simon....

[skade]

Fantastic shots Simon!

[SimonBl]

All,

A couple of corrections to information that has either been posted by me or by others (with all good intentions, naturally), courtesy of the Casserly family:

Peter Casserly was 19 when he joined the Army, you had to be 21 to avoid parental consent to enlist.

Monica Delgardo, his wife, was born in Bunbury, not in the Philippines. Her father was Philippino.

And, one especially for Marie: "Yes, Pop was of Irish decent" ;)

My offer of photo's has been accepted, will keep you posted.

Regards,

Simon.... (The world is an amazing place)

[SimonBl]

Fantastic shots Simon!
Thanks Sandi, even more special now :).

Simon....

[marie]

All,

A couple of corrections to information that has either been posted by me or by others (with all good intentions, naturally), courtesy of the Casserly family:

Peter Casserly was 19 when he joined the Army, you had to be 21 to avoid parental consent to enlist.
Monica Delgardo, his wife, was born in Bunbury, not in the Philippines. Her father was Philippino.
And, one especially for Marie: "Yes, Pop was of Irish decent" http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif
My offer of photo's has been accepted, will keep you posted.
Regards,
Simon.... (The world is an amazing place)

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_cool.gif
that's wonderful news Simon

I honestly did wonder about his wife's name
Monica
did not seem to be that of a Philippino

many thanks for the update

[SimonBl]

For anyone that was watching this thread, I have had a chat with Peter Casserly's grandson and will be sending them prints of the 15 images that I originally 'developed' of the funeral (at no cost to them, of course).

I have also 'developed' the rest of the images (another 40) that I didn't 'choose' to do previously from the .RAW files into .JPG's and will include these on a CD with the other prints.

If my photo lab comes to the party (and I believe they will as I have a good relationship with them), I will include small prints of these too. I haven't really edited these, other than to tweak the exposure and fill light to suit. Some have over-exposed sky or are tilted etc, but I am sure they'll be appreciated.

If you wish to have a look, web versions are located here:

http://www.pbase.com/simonb/state_funeral_2

Cheers,

Simon....

[dispatchermike21]

Very nice job.

Lest we forget. To all who have gone before him and those who will go after thank you go with God and rest in peace.

[cargo123]

Very powerful photos. They say a lot.

[marie]

For anyone that was watching this thread, I have had a chat with Peter Casserly's grandson and will be sending them prints of the 15 images that I originally 'developed' of the funeral (at no cost to them, of course).
I have also 'developed' the rest of the images (another 40) that I didn't 'choose' to do previously from the .RAW files into .JPG's and will include these on a CD with the other prints.
If my photo lab comes to the party (and I believe they will as I have a good relationship with them), I will include small prints of these too. I haven't really edited these, other than to tweak the exposure and fill light to suit. Some have over-exposed sky or are tilted etc, but I am sure they'll be appreciated.
If you wish to have a look, web versions are located here:
http://www.pbase.com/simonb/state_funeral_2
Cheers,
Simon....

many thanks for the update Simon
good news
lovely to have such a record of the event.
Peter himself would be proud.

nice one of the church from outside
http://www.pbase.com/simonb/image/46628155 (http://www.pbase.com/simonb/image/46628155)

http://www.pbase.com/simonb/image/46628196 (http://www.pbase.com/simonb/image/46628196)