Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

LONG RECORD OF SERVICE
TO DIGGERS
Harold Cassidy's
Career
The secretary of the Orange Sub-branch of the Returned Soldiers' League for the past 14 years, and one of the best-known citizens of Orange, Mr. Harold Cassidy, died at the  Yaralla Military Hospital, Concord, yesterday morning. 
Only son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lloyd Cassidy, pioneers of the Orange district, and a grandson of the late Major Cassidy, of Bathurst, Harold Cassidy was born in Orange on  September 16, 1889, and celebrated his 60th birthday just two months ago.
He was educated at the old District Public School, Kite Street, where one of his teachers was the present headmaster, Mr. Ken Finch. He left school in 1904 to become articled clerk to the late Mr. D. G. Pilcher, solicitor, of Russell Chambers, Lord's Place. 
War Service
After remaining at law for only a few years, during which time he became an excellent penman, Harold Cassidy became one of the founders of the auctioneering firm of Williams,  Cassidy and Crook, with offices in the Foresters' Hall, Lord's Place. Shortly after the outbreak of World War 1, in 1914, Harold Cassidy enlisted in Orange to become a member of  the 5th Divisional Ammunition Column, remaining on active service until the end of hostilities in 1918.
In 1919 he was sent back to Australia, after convalescing from war injuries, on the hospital ship Nestor, and returned to his home at Orange. It was not long after his return when  he joined up with the Orange Sub-branch of thee R.S.L., which had been formed in 1917, with Dr. A. E. Colvin as its first president and Mr. Malcolm Stewart its first secretary.
Because of his ability and continued interest in the Diggers, especially those in indigent circumstances, Harold Cassidy was elected president of the League in 1924, a position to  which he was re-elected for six subsequent terms until 1935, when he succeeded Mr. Malcolm Stewart as honorary secretary. He was later appointed official secretary, a position  he held at the time of his death.
Work For Diggers
During his secretarial duties he rarely missed an annual conference of the Returned Soldiers' Leagueee in Sydney, and for the past two years he had been a State councillor of the  R.S.L. During World War II., Mr. Cassidy held the rank of major in the Orange branch of the Voluntary Defence Corps, always lending valuable assistance to the organisations.
In his younger days Harold Cassidy was an active member of the old Our Boys' Football Club, and was a familiar identity in the blue and black jersey during that club's frequent
clashes with the Old Boys and Waratahs. He also took an interest in trotting, and was secretary of the Orange Trotting Club almost 30 years ago.
Since his association with the Returned Soldiers' League he was always regarded as the Diggers' friend. Their welfare was his chief concern, and in his deliberations at all meetings and conferences where returned men were being considered, Harold Cassidy was renowned for his earnest appeals and anxiety to bring about more favorable conditions for less  fortunate comrades. 
Heart Of Gold
"Comrade in Arms" typifies Harold Cassidy's ceaseless efforts for the rehabilitation of Diggers, especially in relation to war pensions and soldier settlements, and his sterling work  on their behalf was carried on right to the end. Fearless and outspoken, Harold Cassidy had a heart of gold, with kindness and sympathy forming two of the noblest traits in his many sterling characteristics. And these did not only apply to human beings, but also to animals. Harold was a lover of animals, and this fact was even borne out in his  consideration for coursing dogs during his secretaryship of the Diggers' Mechanical Coursing Club, a position he held since the club's inception until four years ago, when he was  succeeded by Mr. A. O. MacGillycuddy. Harold Cassidy was a good townsman, and will be missed in many activities. Two Sons He married Miss Vera Stammers. of "Nyrang,"  Cheeseman's Creek, and her death in 1939 was a great blow to him, because, with their two sons, Dick and Eric, they were a happy family. The two boys, Dick, of Queensland,  and Eric, of Canberra, are expected to arrive in Orange this morning, when arrangements will be made for the funeral. Two sisters, Miss Jean Cassidy, of Dee Why, and Madge (Mrs. Francis, of Newcastle), also survive. Harold Cassidy, as a result of war disabilities, had been ailing since last February, during which time he had undergone a number of  serious operations. 

Harold served in WW1 as a gunner, he was injured by dislocating his left elbow.

Harold was City of Orange RSL Sub-Branch President seven times bwtween WW1 and WW2.

Harold re-enlisted for WW2 and served as a Major.