The AIF Project

Alexander Henry BUCKLEY

Regimental number1876
Date of birth22 July 1891
Place of birthWarren, New South Wales
SchoolPrivate tuition at home
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationFarmer
AddressHomebush via Armatree, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation24
Height5' 11.5"
Weight151 lbs
Next of kinFather, James Buckley, Homebush via Armatree, New South Wales
Enlistment date3 February 1916
Place of enlistmentDubbo, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name54th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/71/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A37 Barambah on 23 June 1916
Rank from Nominal RollLance Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll54th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Victoria Cross


Altered to Mention in Despatches: not awarded. Killed in action, 2 September 1918; VC posthumously awarded.
Recommendation date: 4 September 1918

FateKilled in Action 1 September 1918
Place of death or woundingPeronne, France
Age at death27
Age at death from cemetery records27
Place of burialPeronne Communal Cemetery Extension (Plot II, Row C, Grave No. 32), France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
158
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: James and Julie BUCKLEY, Homebush, New South Wales. Born at Gulargambone, New South Wales
Medals

Victoria Cross

'For most conspicuous bravery and self sacrifice at Peronne during the operations on 1st and 2nd September, 1918. After passing the first objective his half company and part of the company on the flank were held up by an enemy machine gun next. With one man he rushed the post, shooting four of the occupants and taking twenty two prisoners. Later on, reaching a moat, it was found that another machine gun nest commanded the only available footbridge. While this was being engaged from a flank Corporal Buckley endeavoured to cross the bridge and rush the post, but was killed in the attempt. Throughout the advance he had displayed great initiative, resource, and courage, and by his effort to save his comrades from casualties, he set a fine example of self sacrificing devotion to duty.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61
Date: 23 May 1919

Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Sydney, 23 May 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 25 August 1916. Admitted to ship's hospital at sea, 4 July (bronchitis); discharged, 25 August 1916 (28 days).

Proceeded overseas to France, 20 October 1916; joined 54th Bn, 17 November 1916.

Promoted Temporary Corporal, 1 November 1917.

On leave to United Kingdom, 22 January 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 14 February 1918. Detached for duty with 14th Brigade Headquarters, 27 February 1918; rejoined unit from detachment.

Detached to 14th Brigade School, 10 July 1918; rejoined unit from detachment, 3 August 1918.

Killed in action, 1 September 1918. Buried in an isolated grave, St Radegonde, a quarter of a mile WSW of Peronne, France; subsequently relocated to Peronne Communal Cemetery.

Posthumously awarded Victoria Cross

Medals: Victoria Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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