Buckley+D

Denis Frederick Buckley

Son of Chas and Sarah C Buckley Born 1894 near to town of Derby, England

In 1901, aged 7, he was living at the Post Office & Saddlers Shop, London Road, Boulton-by-Derby His fathers occupation was Sub Post Master & Saddler His siblings were Bertie 13 and Janet 10.

In 1911, Denis was a farm boy, living as a servant to Thomas Prince of Vicar Wood, Mackworth, Derby.

Between 1911 and 1915 at least Denis and his father emigrated to Gooemri, Kilkevin, Queensland, Australia. Member of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows

8th July 1915 Denis enlisted into the 31st Battalion Machine Gun Section of the Australian Imperial Force at Brisbane,Queensland, Australia. Aged 21 years 6 months Trade or calling: Farmer Height 5ft 9.5inches, weight 9st 11lbs, chest measurement 33-35.25 inches Fresh complexion, brown eyes, black hair. Service Number: 104. Rank: Driver

9th November 1915 - 31st Battalion embarked Melbourne per HMAT “Bakara” 13th December 1915 - Disembarked ex HMAT “Bakara” 9th March 1916 – Transferred to 8th Battalion Machine Gun Company (formerly 15th) at Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt 11th March 1916 - Transferred on strength from 31st to 8th Battalion Machine Gun Company 16th June 1916 – Embarked to join BEF British Expeditionary Force per HMT “Tunisian”, Alexandria 23rd June 1916 – Disembarked at Marseille, France 21st July 1916 – Gun shot wound to face and upper arm, dangerously ill 22nd July 1916 – Died of wounds 26th July 1916 – Buried Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord), Lille, Nord Pas de Calais, France. Sheet 28.5.14c. Plot 2 row F grave 83. Recordes as aged 24, but should be 22 Place of association: Currumbin, Queensland, Australia Effects sent to his father: coin, letter, pocket wallet, pocket knife, knife sheath, french book, wrist watch and strap, photo, book, note book, 2 badges.

1924 Father had died by 1924 Oldest sister: Mrs Florence Bray, South Africa Brother: Mr Bertie Buckley, 45 Fife Street, Crewton, Derby, England Sister: Mrs Harriet Lamb, “Alvaston” Cushing Avenue, Bentleigh, Victoria

Awarded 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Source: Australian War Memorial 145 Roll of Honour cards, 1914-1918 War, Army

Alvaston Memorial