JOHN BUCKLEY 

There are several lads named Buckley on the Weaverham St. Mary's R.o.H. including a John Buckley who is listed on the “Fallen” memorial. A second Buckley lad is also named on the “Fallen” Memorial, his name was George, These lads are not related. See separate story for George.

John Buckley; is named on the Baptist Church Memorial.

C.W.C.G. - Remembered with Honour – Bethleem Farm West Cemetery, Belgium. He was with the 42nd Bn. A.I.F. (Australian Infantry) Service No 2041; Private; died 9th June 1917. No family details included.

Youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Buckley of the May Pole, Acton Bridge. From the Guardian, John is mentioned in the Memorial Service 14th Sept. 1917, P2/C1. John had two brothers who also enlisted, F. (Fred) Buckley and H. (Harry) Buckley see R.o.H. stories for these lads.

Guardian Friday 29th June 1917, P5/C1.

“News reached Acton Bridge on Friday that Private John Buckley of the Australian Imperial Force had been killed in action. Private Buckley, who was 19 years of age, was the youngest son of the late Mr. John Buckley of the May Pole Inn Acton Bridge and Mrs. Holland now the wife of Mr. Holland of the same public house. At the age of 15 he emigrated to Australia to join two of his brothers who were farming under Mr. Edward Wilbraham, brother of Major Wilbraham. Soon after the outbreak of war one of them, Corporal Jack Wyatt, joined the Queensland Light Horse. He was in the memorable Sulva Bar Landing and was only one of three left in his squadron when they came away. He is at present serving in another theatre of war.”

[Corporal Jack Wyatt was John Buckley’s cousin. Mrs. Buckley, now Mrs. Holland was John Buckley’s step mother and Jack Wyatt, was her son by a previous marriage.]

“The first intimation which Mrs. Holland had of her son’s death was a letter from the Chaplain of the brigade to which her son was attached. It read:- “I regret to inform you that Private J. Buckley was killed in action on June 10th 1917. As Chaplain of the brigade it was my duty to work in the area of the battle field where our comrade fell.....in making this sad announcement I desire also to express deep sympathy with you in the loss you have sustained. The fighting in which Private Buckley took part was severe but glorious, as all objectives sought were obtained. It was his to make the supreme sacrifice by laying down his life. This sacrifice we know was not in vain. May this knowledge with the comfort of God’s spirit give you strength in the hour of loss and bereavement.” 

“Some have to sacrifice their lives.”

“Private Buckley was a fine specimen of a soldier. One of the letters found on him after he was killed was addressed to his sister, Mrs. Manning, Ivy Bank Farm, Acton Bridge and it has just been forwarded onto her and it reads:- “Just a hurried note to let you know how I am faring. I can’t grumble; pretty hot of late but we keeping jogging along. I have not heard from you just lately but perhaps you have been busy like myself. I found a lad in the trenches who I used to work with in Queensland. We had a little gas the other night but not much to speak of. How are the fruit trees looking? Good I suppose. I wish the war was completely over and I’m sure thousands are of the same opinion but we shall have to box on and hope for the best. I had another mate wounded last Wednesday, it’s no use worrying, some have to sacrifice their lives in the war. We never know when our time is up, sooner or later. So it is just as well to keep up good spirits while we are alive. Don’t in anyway get disheartened. We shall never win the war by worrying. Mrs. Holland has five other sons and two son-in-laws serving in the army.”

[The lads who paid the supreme sacrifice are remembered in most cases in the Commonwealth War Graves, at the various memorials near their home towns and or at the home towns of their families and the churches they attended and companies they worked for. Most of the families will have received the WW1 medals on behalf of the son or brother, daughter or sister (Approximately 600 women paid the supreme sacrifice.) They will also have received a memorial plaque which became known as the death plaque, death medal or death penny. I was not aware of this until the back-end of last year 2013. The plaque was issued in a waxed card envelope. The plaque is made of brass and weighs approx. 12oz and is approx. 4.75in diameter.]

John Buckley’s family is still in Cheshire. I have recently spoken with Chris Shaw who would be John’s great nephew. (John’s sister Ada was Chris’s grandmother. Ada would be Chris’s grandmother by her marriage to a Joseph Shaw in 1927 at St. Mary’s Weaverham.) Chris has allowed me to use John’s Memorial Plaque, Regiment Identity Tag and Scroll, see above. Chris also gave me the following newspaper article to add to John’s story. No date or anything that identifies the paper but is at the time of his death and is likely to be a local Newspaper.

RETURNED FROM AUSTRALIA TO FIGHT.

Acton Boy’s Sad End; One of Four Fighting Sons. “A chaplain’s letter, received on Sunday, containing the sad tidings of the death in action of one of the many lads who have gone from the village of Acton to fight the country’s battles. He is Pte. John Buckley, the nephew of Mrs. Holland, wife of Mr. Hugh Holland of the May Pole Inn Acton. The deceased soldier was the youngest son of the late Mr. Buckley, who held license at the May Pole Inn for many years and was formerly in the employ of Sir Joseph Verdin as head gardener. Pte Buckley, who had only just attained 19 years of age was a native of Acton and was a smart diligent lad, well liked by everyone in the district. On leaving school he was at home for about twelve months, during which time he devoted his energies to farm work, in which he was keenly interested. Then he was asked to enter the employ of Mr. Fredrick Wilbraham of Delamere House, and did so, later accompanying Mr. Wilbraham to Australia. He was working out a promising career when war broke out, and he joined the Australian Imperial Forces early in 1916, and was at home for Christmas last. Shortly afterwards he went over to France, and his letters have from time to time indicated that he had taken part in some of the biggest fights in the campaign. He was a member of the Milton Baptist Church, and his death is lamented by many.”

“There are three other brothers with the forces. Fred Buckley holds an appointment as head steward with the Royal Navy and has had a rather interesting career during the period of the war. He was on board H.M.S. Falmouth when she was engaged in a naval fight and with this vessel he cruised a great deal. He should have accompanied the Falmouth on her last voyage for she was sunk in mid-ocean, but he did not board her on this occasion, some unforeseen circumstances arising. He is now in Indian waters. Driver Harry Buckley is in France with the Motor Transport while Pte. George Buckley has just accompanied a draft to France. Other relatives with the service are Richard Manning (Royal Navy), Lieut. Richard Crisp (Flying Corps, now in Prince of Wales Hospital London following an accident in France.) and Jack Wyatt, who has seen service in the Dardanelles and is now in Egypt.”

Lesley Craig of St. Mary’s Weaverham has confirmed that John Buckley is also remembered on the family grave in the church cemetery. The 1911 census has John born in Crowton.

The Australian WW1 records supply the following information; His Roll of Honour data puts John’s place of association as Undullah. It is recorded that John was 18yrs and 6months when he signed up on the 15th May 1916, he worked as a Stockman and was single. John was 5ft 8in tall and his weight 140lb with fair complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair. His religion is recorded as C. of E. John’s next of kin is recorded as his mother (step) Mrs. Ada Holland, near Northwich, Cheshire, England. His home address is Beaudesert, Queensland. His place of embarkation was Brisbane on the 7th Sept. 1916, on HMAT Clan McGillivray A46. John was part of the 3rd reinforcements. He arrived in Plymouth and disembarked on the 2nd Nov. 1916. Whilst in the UK John Buckley went A.W.L. (Absent without leave.) visiting his family at home on Christmas Day with his brother. (At this stage we do not know which brother but it appears unlikely to be Jack Wyatt as his military records show him in Egypt at this time. John was in the UK until 4th Feb. 1917 where he proceeded to France from Folkestone.

Private Buckley appears to have been awarded the 15 Star as well as the British War and Victory Medals


Memorial Plaque. Also known as the 'Dead Mans Penny.' 


Memorial Scroll.

Thank you Chris Shaw John's relative for the pictures of the plaque and scroll.


Research Bob Heaton