pte Harold Buckley of Rushall Walsall

[latcho]

Any information will be appreciated.

Thanks

Mike.

[BFBSM]

From Soldiers died in the Great War 1914-1919:

First name(s) HAROLD Last name BUCKLEY Service number 5035 Rank PRIVATE Regiment Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line (incl. Yeomanry and Imperial Camel Corps) Battalion 10th (Prince of Wales' Own Royal) Hussars. Birth place WALSALL Residence WALSALL Enlistment place BIRMINGHAM Death year 1914 Death day 14 Death month 11 Cause of death Died of wounds Death place France & Flanders Theatre of war Western European Theatre

[GraemeClarke]

Mike.

I have researched all the Rushall men and have quite a bit on him.

I believe, as confirmed by the Regimental History, that he died on the 12 November. The papers also stated he was wounded on the 10th and died '2 says later'

Can I ask your interest in Harold, what you already know (to save duplication) and do you have any pictures of him at all. I have the one from the newspapers,

Regards,

Graeme

[BFBSM]

The Casualty Lists database on TheGeneaolgist.co.uk, provides the following information:

Surname Buckley

Casualty Status Died of Wounds

Rank Private

Service Number 5035

Regiment 10th Hussars

Daily List Date 4th February 1915

Report Received Date 8th December 1914

Category N.C.O.'s & Men

Casualty Status Died of Wounds

Source

http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/search/advanced/military/casualty-lists/full/?id=2253483

This would suggest wounding on or before 8th December 1914.

Mark

[GraemeClarke]

Morning

Have had a PM from Mike so will post the following.

he is on the Rushall WW1 RoH

Harold was born in Rushall on Sunday 10 November 1889, the son of Cornelius and Elizabeth (nee Clark) Buckley of New Street, Rushall and later of Lichfield Road, Rushall and Station Road, Rushall, Harold’s father, who predeceased him on Friday 4 November 1904, being employed as a colliery engine driver.

An address of Pelsall Lane, Rushall is also cited for Harold who was engaged to be married to a local girl named Beck.

After completing his education Harold found employment as a carter for Genders Limited but enlisted in the Army in Birmingham in 1908. He served for 2 years in India and was stationed at Potschefstroom in South Africa at the outbreak of war. He trained as a signaller in the Army.

Drafted to France on Tuesday 6 October 1914, Harold was, according to the local newspapers, wounded on Tuesday 10 November 1914, his 25^th birthday, and succumbed two days later. This is at variance with his ‘official’ date of death.

Harold was wounded in the Battle of Nonne Bosschen during the First Battle of Ypres. His Hussars had fallen back from Ghent to Ypres where the British decided to put up a defence against vastly numerically superior German forces.

On Tuesday 10 November 1914 the Hussars left Zillebeke and took up positions between Zillebeke and Klein Zillebeke. Their dispositions were:- “A”, “C” and one troop of “B” Squadron plus one squadron, 1^st (Royal) Dragoons in the firing line
with three troops of “B” Squadron plus one squadron, 1^st (Royal) Dragoons in support.

This force under the command of Major Shearman was subjected to heavy enemy artillery fire throughout the following day resulting in the wounding of 4 other ranks.

At 7pm, in heavy rain, a relief was completed, three troops of “B” Squadron of the Hussars with 40 men from the horse lines plus two squadrons of the 1^st (Royal) Dragoons attached now proceeded into the trenches whilst “A” and “C” Squadrons of took their place in support positions.

As the rain continued to fall the trenches became untenable with the position occupied by “A” Squadron being completely washed in. At dawn on Thursday 12 November 1914 the conditions necessitated a movement towards the rear of 50 yards under constant harassing fire by the enemy. In particular sniping from close range resulted in several casualties as the firing line assisted in the completion of this manoeuvre by opening a rapid fire on the positions held by the enemy. In addition to being subjected to rifle fire the German artillery kept up a steady bombardment throughout the day resulting in the mortal wounding of Major Hon. W. Cadogan who was hit in the groin. During the day Regimental Sergeant Major Edward King, D.C.M. was shot through the neck and killed and Captain Edward W.E. Palmes of “A” Squadron and a further 20 men wounded.

Relief was commenced at dusk by the 3^rd Dragoon Guards.

The War Diary records,

“10 November 1914 - Remained in billets at Halte as Corps Reserve. At 1pm marched dismounted to support Lord Cavan’s 4^th Guards Brigade, and remained south of Hooge till 6pm. Rations and cloaks were then brought up and the regiment went into trenches between Zillebeke and Klein Zillebeke.

“A” and “C” Squadrons and 1^st Troop “B” Squadron in firing line with one squadron 1^st Royal Dragoons. 3 troops “B” Squadron and one squadron 1^st Royal Dragoons in support (under Major Shearman).

Regiment commanded by Major Honourable W. Cadogan.

11 November 1914 - Regiment remained in trenches being very heavily shelled both morning and evening. Heavy rain in the evening about 7pm when reliefs were being carried out; 3 troops “B” Squadron went into the firing line with 2 squadrons 1^st Royal Dragoons “A” and “C” Squadrons to support trenches.

Casualties from artillery fire 4 men wounded.

12 November 1914 - Owing to rain “A” Squadron trench was washed in, and at dawn they moved back 100 yards to another. Snipers from close range fired, causing several casualties, R.S.M. King being shot through the neck. The firing line was then ordered to open rapid fire, which enabled the move to be finished. During the days shelling major Honourable W. Cadogan was hit in the groin and died almost immediately.

At dusk relieved by 3^rd Dragoon Guards. Heavy rain all day.

Captain Palmes and 10 men wounded. One machine gun was completely knocked out by a German maxim gun.

13 November 1914 - At 4.30am the regiment (dismounted) went up to support 4^th Guards Brigade; was not required, returned 7.30am went up again to support and returned at 6pm. Rained all day.

14 November 1914 - At 1pm the brigade moved to fresh quarters, regiment billeted in a farm one mile south of Vlamertinghe.”

Mortally wounded during this period, Harold has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial on Panel 5. He was 26 years of age.

The Regimental History agrees that Harold died on Thursday 12 November 1914.

His elder brother, Cornelius, also served.

Married to Fanny Carr at Walsall on Monday 31 March 1902, he had 3 children, Phyllis, Evelyn and Clarence, residing at 14, Warwick Street, Walsall.

A hame forger for Thackers and also at one time for the Australian Government, he enlisted in the Army Service Corps as a blacksmith with regimental number MS/630 at Walsall on Saturday 15 August 1914.

Regards,

Graeme