| Alexander Henry Buckley (VC) | |
|---|---|
 Buckley and his fiance c. 1916 | |
| Born | July 22, 1891 |
| Died | 1 September 1918 (aged 27) |
| Place of birth | Gulargambone, New South Wales |
| Place of death | Peronne, France |
| Allegiance |
 Australia |
| Service/branch | Australian Army |
| Years of service | 1916–1918 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit | 54th Battalion |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Alexander Henry Buckley VC (1891 – 1918) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Early life[]
Buckley was born on 22 July 1891 to James and Julia Buckley at Gulargambone, New South Wales, Australia.[1] One of four children, he was home schooled on his parents' property Homebush during his childhood.[2]
Military career[]
Buckley enlisted in the First Australian Imperial Force on 3 February 1916. After completing basic training in June, he was sent to England among a draft of reinforcements. He was posted to 54th Battalion, which was attached to the 14th Brigade.[2]
Joining the battalion in November 1916 at Flers, France, Buckley served with it as it manned defensive positions along the Somme during the winter months. The following year he took part in the fighting around Bullecourt, Polygon Wood and Broodseinde and in November 1917 he was promoted to temporary corporal.[2] In August 1918, the 54th Battalion took part in the initial stages of the Allied Hundred Days Offensive around Amiens. On the night of 1/2 September 1918, at Peronne, France, Buckley performed the deeds that led to him being posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.[2]
Citation[]
For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice at Peronne during the operations on the 1st/2nd Sept., 1918. After passing the first objective his half company and part of the company on the flank were held up by a machine gun nest. With one man he rushed the post shooting four of the occupants and taking 22 prisoners. Later on reaching a moat, it was found that another machine gun nest commanded the only available footbridge. Whilst this was being engaged from a flank Cpl. 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 efforts to save his comrades from casualties, he set a fine example of self-sacrificing devotion to duty.
—The London Gazette, 14 December 1918[1]
Medals[]
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial (Canberra, Australia).[3] He also earned the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.[4]
Notes[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Buckley, Alexander Henry, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Wigmore 1979, pp. 474–475.
- ↑ Buckley's VC, Australian War Memorial collection record REL/18815
- ↑ Alexander Henry BUCKLEY, The AIF Project, www.aif.adfa.edu.au
References[]
- Wigmore, Lionel. (1979) 'Buckley, Alexander Henry (1891 – 1918)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 7, Melbourne University Press, pp. 474–475.
Further reading[]
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
The original article can be found at Alexander Buckley and the edit history here.