BUCKLE, Arthur


No.42124, Private, Arthur BUCKLE
Aged 30


3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment
formerly 091167, Army Service Corps
Killed in Action on Wednesday, 25th September 1918


Arthur BUCKLE was born in 1890 in Thurston (Stow Q1-1990 4A:781), son of Robert and Thirza BUCKLE (née KEMP).

1891 census...Aged 1, he was at The Old Vicarage, Thurston with his father, Robert BUCKLE [30] farm labourer, born Thurston; his other Thirza [30] born Norton; sisters Kate [11] born Beyton, Beatrice [3] and May E [2];brothers William [8], Spencer [6] and Rowland [5]. All the children except Kate were born in Thurston.

1901 census...Arthur has not been identified in this census His parents were still at the Old Vicarage, Thurston with his sisters Emma, Alice [7]Ellen [3] and un-named [3 weeks]; brothers Rowland, Herbert [8], Harry [5] and Charles [4]. All the new siblings were born in Thurston.

1911 census...It could be him, aged 23, a baker, lodging with widow Charlotte BUTLER in Swaffham Bulbeck. His parents were at Stockhold Green, Thurston with his brothers Rowland, Harry and Charles (all farm labourers); sisters Ellen, Anne [8] and Ivy [5]. The two new sisters also born in Thurston. It was a very large family, possibly 16 children, and at any one time several children would be away with uncles and aunts.

He married Ada Elizabeth Caroline in Lewisham in Q4-1911, later of 601 Dovercourt Road, Toronto, Canada. She has not been identified on departures from UK within the time scale..


He enlisted in Milford,Surrey, whilst resident in East Dulwich, Kent, in December 1914
The battalion war diary has:- "25 Sept 3 am. Bn relieved 8th Gloucestershire Regt on right sub sector prior to attacking SHEPHERDS REDOUBT and the DISTILLERY
8 am A and B Coys attacked taking SHEPHERDS REDOUBT and the DISTILLERY. All objectives captured, about 80 prisoners and 10 machine guns captured. Our casualties were slight Final line ran about 50 yards east of LA BASSEE road.
10th Royal Warwickshire Regt were unable to conform our movements on the left so A Coy had to form a defensive flank, but were able to hold on to their line east of the road.
The Bn on our right, 1/6th King's (55th Div.) gained all objectives and touch was immediately gained with them
6 pm - Very heavy enemy barrage put down just behind our front line. Enemy immediately attempted to counter-attack, but was scattered by our rifle and Lewis gun fire. Our men advanced from their trenches to meet the enemy and to escape the barrage. Our line absolutely intact,but Bn on the right fell back, exposing our left flank, so defensive flank had to be formed. A quiet night ensued."


The Battalion had 14 die that day.





photo: Rodney Gibson



Arthur is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois memorial, France panel 6

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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