Commanding Officer 2nd Battalion 48th Highlanders of Canada 1945

Hamilton (Laddie) Cassels, Jr. was born on August 1st, 1895, in Toronto, Ontario, to Hamilton Cassels (b.Quebec, 1854-d.Toronto, 1925), Barrister and Mary Yarwood Baldwin. Cassels earned a degree from the University of Toronto in 1913. He was admitted to Osgoode Hall Law School in 1917 and was called to the Bar in 1920. He practiced in Toronto with the firm of Cassels, Brock and Kelly. Cassels served as an elected bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada from 1941 to 1956, and was a life bencher from 1956 to 1973.

Hamilton Cassels (II) and Nannette Miller were married at St Catharines, Lincoln County, Ontario, on 2 Jan 1917.

Cassels served as a member of the 48th Highlanders in the First World War (he was attested into the CEF on 19 April 1915) and as a Lieutenant Colonel of the 2nd Battalion in the Second World War.

In addition to his legal and military pursuits, Cassels was deeply involved in Canadian football. He was a key member of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues football team in 1913 and 1914. In 1920, he coached the Blues to the Intercollegiate title while also playing for the Toronto Argonauts. Faced with the unique situation of coaching one team and playing for another, Cassels chose his coaching duties during the 8th Grey Cup, leading the Blues to a 16-3 victory over the Argonauts.

He also served as president of the County of York Law Association.

In recognition of his service, Cassels was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

He passed away in Toronto on March 24, 1973. 

His son, Hamilton Cassels, III (1917 -1981) was an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel.