William's Story.
Born in 1899 William was the son of William and Mary Alice Buckley of 181 Witton Street Northwich. Prior to enlisting just after his 18 birthday, William worked for Messer. Bates and Sons, iron founders, Station road, as did his father.
William enlisted into the Denbighshire Yeomanry before transferring to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and was attached to the 16 battalion, after training he went to France on 14 April 1918.
William was wounded on the 2 September the war dairy for the day states:
Sept 2nd Day spent in outpost line east of Sailly Saillisel. At 8pm under artillery barrage 115th brigade passed through to attack Mesnil-en-Arrouraise, attack held up by M.G fire leaving 16th RWF still in the front line. Enemy attempted a counter attack on the left, division and brigade redistributed to meet this at night.
Casualties O. Rs (Other Ranks) 2 Killed. 17 Wounded. 1 Missing.
William was one of the ones wounded.
Later in the month William’s mother Mary received a letter from Sister J Gray at the hospital where William was treated.
“I am very sorry to inform you of the death of your son, Private W. A. Buckley. He was admitted on the evening of the 2nd badly wounded. His condition was very bad, and he never improved, and he died at 09.10 this morning. We were all very sorry about him, he was such a very nice boy, and so young. Everything that was possible was done for him. He was conscious nearly all the time but was too ill to speak. It is one consolation for you to know that he was brought to hospital, where he was well cared for, instead of being left in a shell hole. Accept my deepest sympathy in your bereavement.”
His parents also received a letter from one of William’s comrades Private H Buckley of Greenall Road.
“Allow me to express my deepest sympathy in your very sad bereavement in the loss of your dear son Willie, who has been killed in action doing his best. I can say that all the time I was with him he was a cheerful lad and well liked by all. Previous to him meeting his death he did a comrade a good turn, bandaging his wound and assisting him to a dressing station. That was the last time I saw him as I got hit in the leg and had to come down the line.”
Headstone picture taken by the Cheshire Roll of Honour.