Michael Casey

 

H.M.S. Tiger

H.M.S. Tiger, the most heavily armoured British battlecruiser, wasn’t ready at the start of the First World War. When she was ready, H.M.S. Tiger was assigned to the 1^st Battlecruiser Squadron (1st BCS) for the duration of the war and participated in the Battle of Dogger Bank in early 1915, though she was still shaking down and did not perform well. Tiger next participated in the Battle of Jutland in 1916, where she was only lightly damaged despite suffering many hits by German shells. Apart from providing distant cover during the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight in 1917, she spent the rest of the war on uneventful patrols in the North Sea.

 One of the stokers who served on H.M.S. Tiger was Michael Casey. 

Michael, who was born in 1870, was the second child of Martin Casey and Margaret Davies. 

At the time of the 1881 Census, the family was recorded as living at 104 Llangyfelach Street.

1881 Census

34-year-old Martin was employed as a Copperman, and Margaret was 33 years old. Their children were

William, 13; Michael, 11; Catherine, 6; Martin, 3; 6-month-old Margaret Ann.

The 1891 Census records that the family was still living at 104 Llangyfelach Street

1891 Census

41-year-old Martin is employed as a Furnaceman, and Margaret is 40 years old.  Their children are.

Catherine, 16; Michael, 18, who is employed as a Labourer at the Steel Works; Martin, 13; and 10-year-old Margaret A.

Also present is daughter-in-law, 19-year-old Elizabeth.

Following the census, Michael was sent to prison for 7 days for Trespass and Removing Sand on Soil.  Michael’s age is recorded as 16.

Swansea and Surround Areas Goal Records

Later that year, Michael married Sarah Edith King.

 The 1901 census records the family as living at 34 Brynmelyn Street.

1901 Census

27-year-old Martin is employed as a Fuel Worker, and Sarah is 26 years old.  Their children are

William, 9; Maggie, 4; Sarah, 4; and 9-month-old Catherine.

Also present is 12-year-old Catherine, Michael’s sister.

The 1911 Census records that Michael is 39 years old.  He is still employed as a Fuel Worker.  Sarah, who is 36 years old, and their family are living at 1 Mill Street.  The children are

1911 Census

William John, 19, employed as a Mason's Labourer; 15-year-old domestic servant Margaret; Sarah Edith, 13; Catherine, 11; Martin, 8; Michael, who all attend school.  The three younger children are Michael, 8; Thomas, 5; and 1 year old Richard.

British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage, and Death Records

Michael, who served with the Royal Naval Reserves and was ranked a stoker, died on the 27^th of September 1918. The British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage, and Death Records record that Michael’s date of birth was 11^th October 1876.

Michael Casey
Danygraig Cemetery
credit - findagrave

Michael was buried at Danygraig Cemetery