Leonard Henry (Lennie) Buckingham MM
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 28 Jan 1891 |
| Place of Birth | Perth, Western Australia |
| Death | 8 Jun 1960, aged 79 |
| Place of Death | Bassendean, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 22 years, 7 months |
| Description | 5' 7" (1.70m) tall; weight 145 lbs (65.8 kg); dark complexion, brown eyes, brown hair |
| Occupation | driver (horses) |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | 'Wattle Dene' East Jandakot (Forrestdale), Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father Mr John Buckingham |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 1778 |
| Date of Enlistment | 17 Aug 1914 |
| Rank | Lance Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | 8th Field Artillery Battery, transferred to the 11th Battalion / 3rd Field Artillery Brigade and 1st Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 2 Nov 1914 - 3 Dec 1914 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A7 Medic |
| Date of Return | 10 Mar 1918 - 4 May 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Orontes |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 7 Apr 1917 Bullecourt area Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Armadale (West Armadale panel) |
| Medals |
Military medal 1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
Joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force with his unit on 4 Apr 1915. On 14 Sep 1915, illness at Anzac Cove requires him to be evacuated via 25th Casualty Clearing Station and the HMHS Dunluce Castle in Sep 1915 to St Pauls Hospital on Malta and after assessment he was sent on to England via the HMHS Panama on 31 Oct 1915.
On return to fitness he was transferred to the 11th Battalion. Travelled to France from Perham Downs on 25 Jul 1916, and joined the battalion in billets on 9 Aug 1916 at Bonneville, France as they rebuilt after their heavy losses at Poziéres. Appointed Lance Corporal on 8 Dec 1916.
On 24 Mar 1917 he was awarded the Military Medal (see below). In the late evening/early morning of the 6th/7th April 1917, the enemy shelled the 11th Battalion which had just moved up to take their turn in the line at Morchies, north of the Bapaume to Cambrai road. The shelling resulted in 9 killed and 8 wounded, including Lennie who received a shell wound to his left arm and leg. Initially treated at 37th Field Ambulance, he was then passed to 56th Casualty Clearing Station and then to the 11th Stationary Hospital at Rouen.
Evacuated to England, on HMHS St George, he entered the 1st Birmingham War Hospital on 1 May 1917 for treatment and was then sent to recuperate at Weymouth. While at Weymouth he was reduced to Private for breaking out of camp after lights out.
Returned to Australia early with asthma, and discharged 24 May 1918 at 5th Military District.
"..Was five months in the trenches at Gallipoli; got enteric, and was invalided to England, then transferred to France, now serving with the 11th Bn."[1]
Initially reported ill, the 293rd Casualty List clarified that L. H. Buckingham (East Jandakot) was WIA.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Buckingham, Forrestdale, have received official news that their son, Lance-Corporal Leonard Buckingham, A.I.F. (one of the original Anzacs), has been wounded in France. He left with the 1st Expeditionary Force on November 2, 1914, and served for five months on Gallipoli, when he was invalided to England and has been in France since July of last year.[2]
Mr. and Mrs. J. Buckingham, 'Wattledene', Forrestdale, have received further official advice that their son, Lennie has been awarded the Military Medal, and was admitted to hospital on May 1, suffering from gunshot wound in the thigh.[3]
In addition to list of honours awarded to Australians recently published, it has been notified that the following W.A. members of the A.I.F. have been granted Military Medals: — Sergeant L. H. Buckingham (11th Battalion)[4]
Award Commentary
Military Medal -
Obtained valuable information while on patrol work, displaying great courage and endurance.(At the Maze and Le Barque between 12-28 February 1917).[5][6]
Post War
Notes
Name is not on the Memorials at Banjup, or Spearwood.