Leonard Henry (Lennie) Buckingham MM
From Our Contribution
 | |
| 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 ; 145 lbs 65.771 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 / 3rd Field Artillery Brigade, transferred to the 11th Battalion / 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 War Memorial (West Armadale panel) Armadale and Districts Roll of Honour |
| Medals |
Military Medal 1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
War Service
Joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force with his unit on 4 Apr 1915, landing on Gallipoli late on the first day. On 14 Sep 1915, illness at Anzac Cove required him to be evacuated via 25th Casualty Clearing Station and the HMHS Dunluce Castle 26 Sep 1915 to St Paul's Hospital on Malta where he was admitted on 27 Sep 1915. After assessment he was sent on to England aboard HMHS Panama on 31 Oct 1915. Following his recovery he was sent to Monte Video camp at Weymouth, from where on 6 Jul 1916 he was posted to the 3rd Training Battalion to retrain as an infanteer.
On 25 Jul 1916 he proceeded overseas to France and entered the 1st Division's Base Depot in Étaples. On 9 Aug 1916 he was transferred to, and taken on strength by the 11th Battalion, joining them in billets at Bonneville, France as they rebuilt after their heavy losses at Poziéres. Lennie was 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 6/7 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 by the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, he was passed next day to 56th Casualty Clearing Station and then transferred to the 11th Stationary Hospital at Rouen on 12 Apr 1917.
Evacuated to England, on 30 Apr 1917 aboard HMHS St George, he entered the 1st Birmingham War Hospital on 1 May 1917 for treatment and was then sent on 6 Jul 1917 to recuperate at No 2 Command Depot in Weymouth, via the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital. While at Weymouth, on 20 Oct 1917 he was reduced to Private for breaking out of camp after tattoo (lights out) on 12 Oct 1917.
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
In 1922 Lennie married Beryl Clarke (?) Electoral Roll entries - 1925 - 1926 with 'Elizabeth' at 8 Salisbury street, Balkatta; 1949 - 1958 in Derby, by himself - a manager
Served in the Citizens Military Forces during WW2 with Regimental No W47905.
Notes
Name is not on the Memorials at Banjup, or Spearwood.
References
- ↑ "The Drill of the Foot-Hills" (PDF) (1917). Western Australia. Mar 1917. p. 10. Retrieved 16 May 2017 – via State Library of Western Australia.
- ↑ "WAR CASUALTIES". The West Australian. XXXIII, (4,704). Western Australia. 1 May 1917. p. 5. Retrieved 30 May 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ "WAR CASUALTIES.". The West Australian. XXXIII, (4,724). Western Australia. 24 May 1917. p. 5. Retrieved 30 May 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ "FURTHER AWARDS.". The Daily News. XXXVI, (13,238). Western Australia. 23 July 1917. p. 2. Retrieved 30 May 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ Commonwealth of Australia Gazette page 1828, position 30, dated 27 August 1917.
- ↑ London Gazette 11 May 1917 page 4601, position 1.
External Links
- AIF Project
- RSL Memorial France