Corporal Alexander Henry Buckley

Service number 1876
Ranks Held Corporal, Private, Temporary Corporal
Birth Date 1891-07-22
Birth Place Australia: New South Wales, Warren
Death Date 1918-09-01
Death Place France: Picardie, Somme, Peronne
Final Rank Corporal
Service Australian Imperial Force
Units
  • 54th Australian Infantry Battalion
  • 54th Australian Infantry Battalion
  • 54th Australian Infantry Battalion
Places
Conflict/Operation First World War, 1914-1918
Gazettes Published in London Gazette in 1918-12-14
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1919-05-23
Description

Alex Buckley (1891-1918) was born at Warren, New South Wales. He was a 24-year-old farmer when he enlisted in the AIF in February 1916. He joined the 54th Battalion on the Somme in November. The following year he fought at Bullecourt and in the battle of Polygon Wood. In April 1918 his battalion moved back to the Somme and took part in the allied counter-offensive which began in August.

Buckley was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross following his battalion's operation at Péronne. The 54th was to take the ground between the town and the river, then move into Péronne "if not too strongly opposed". They moved forward in drizzle and cleared the first line of German trenches, but were then held up by a nest of machine-guns. Buckley charged forward, shot four of the post's occupants and took 22 prisoners. He was killed by machine-gun fire while attempting to cross a footbridge into the town. Buckley's citation praised his "great initiative, resource and courage", as well as his "self-sacrificing devotion to duty". He was buried in the war cemetery at Péronne.

Rolls

Timeline

Date of birth 22 July 1891
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) 03 February 1916 54th Battalion.
Date of embarkation 23 June 1916
Date of death 01 September 1918
Date of honour or award 01 September 1918 Buckley was posthumously awarded his Victoria Cross for his "initiative, resource and courage" when the 54th Battalion was involved in operations aimed at clearing the area between Mont St Quentin and Peronne. The battalion was to take the ground between Peronne and the River Somme. The advance commenced in drizzling rain and was opposed by heavy enemy fire. The first line of enemy trenches was captured but the advance was held up by machine guns. Buckley, along with another man, rushed the machine gun post, shooting four men and taking 22 prisoners. The Germans retreated to Peronne, entering the city by the main bridge which they then blew up. The only remaining bridge on the Battalion's front was a footbridge defended by machine guns. With three other members of his company, Buckley tried to force his way across under heavy fire. He was killed in the attempt.
Date of recommendation honour or award 04 September 1918
Date of recommendation honour or award 07 September 1918
Date of recommendation honour or award 16 September 1918