Regimental number | 1876 |
Date of birth | |
Place of birth | Warren, New South Wales |
School | Private tuition at home |
Religion | Presbyterian |
Occupation | Farmer |
Address | Homebush via Armatree, New South Wales |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 24 |
Height | 5' 11.5" |
Weight | 151 lbs |
Next of kin | Father, James Buckley, Homebush via Armatree, New South Wales |
Enlistment date | |
Place of enlistment | Dubbo, New South Wales |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 54th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/71/3 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A37 Barambah on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Lance Corporal |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 54th 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: |
Fate | Killed in Action |
Place of death or wounding | Peronne, France |
Age at death | 27 |
Age at death from cemetery records | 27 |
Place of burial | Peronne 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: |
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 |