Buckley, John Joseph by Central Coast Council

Gosford District Casualties of World War One Bragg, Edmund Allen Buckley, John Joseph

Service Service Number Number 1494 3122 Killed in Action 19th May 1915 Killed in Action 1st September 1918 Gallipoli Peninsula France

Gosford City Council gratefully acknowledges the voluntary efforts of Benalyn Campbell And Vivienne Tranter in compiling this resource

The information in this file has been extracted from official records held in the The Australian War Memorial and National Archives of Australia (ÂŠ Commonwealth of Australia [National Archives of Australia] 2013) Further information on this soldier may be found online at: Commonwealth War Graves The AIF project Content advisory: This file may potentially contain disturbing accounts of service-related injury and death, disease and family grief. Adult supervision is recommended for children using these resources. Individual files should be viewed within the context provided by wider research on service conditions in the 1 st AIF. This resource is presented by Gosford City Council for research purposes only. Please note that copyright for resources contained within remains with the original copyright owners.

NAME

Buckley, John Joseph

SERVICE NO

3122

UNIT

53rd Battalion

RANK

Private

AGE at Enlistment

18 yrs 2 mths

PLACE OF BIRTH

Parkes, NSW

ADDRESS

Post Office Gosford, NSW

OCCUPATION

Postal Assistant

DATE OF ENLISTMENT

18 Sept 1916

PLACE OF ENLISTMENT

Rutherford, NSW

PREVIOUS SERVICE

Nil

NEXT OF KIN

Parents;-John & Mary Anne Buckley, PO Gosford, NSW 1919-PO Arncliffe, NSW

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Height-5’7”.Weight-10st.2lbs. Chest-34-36½. Complexion-Fair. Eyes-Blue. Hair-Dark.

RELIGION

R/C

EMBARKED

Sydney- 11 Nov 1916 per “Suevic”

DISEMBARKED

Devonport, 30 Jan 1917

NOTES

Both parents signed permission for enlistment Medical exam by Dr James H Paul- Gosford

WOUNDED/ILLNESS DIED

1 Sept 1918-abt 7am Machine gun fire through the head

BURIED

Isolated gve ½ mile NNW of Peronne France. Re-interred Peronne Communal Cem. Extension. France

MEDALS

British War Medal-52769, Victory Medal-52007. Memorial Plaque & Scroll351898

DEPENDANTS PERSONAL EFFECTS

Letters, 1 Prayer book, 1 note book, Religious emblems.

WILL

Yes

CORRESPONDENCE

Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Soc. Postmaster General’s Office Mother

Gosford Times 26.9.1918. KILLED IN ACTION. Feelings of deep sympathy are expressed for Mr and Mrs John Buckley and family, of Gosford Post Office, on the sad news conveyed to them by Rev. Father Kelly on Friday evening last that their son and brother, Private John Joseph Buckley, had been killed in action on 1st September. The deceased soldier had just attained his 20th year. He was born at Parkes and educated by the Marist Brothers, West Maitland, joining the Postal Department five years ago. Enlisting in September, 1916, he sailed for the war in November and was transferred to France about seventeen months ago, where he remained on active service up to the time of his death. A fine athlete and crack rifle shot, he was selected for the dangerous post of sniper and also served as a Scout. No particulars are to hand as to the manner of his death, the cable simply advising that he had been killed in action. Jack was a splendid young man – a loving and dutiful son, a fond and affectionate brother. In his letters home, he told of the fearfulness of the battlefield how hundreds of times he had escaped while death grasped its victims all around, and expressed the firm conviction that he would never again see Australia or the faces of those at home whom he loved – a prophesy that was only too sadly fulfilled. Prior to going to the war the deceased soldier had acted on the relieving staff at Morpeth, Gosford, Brooklyn, Wyong, Wiseman’s Ferry and Stockton, and was attached to Nymagee Post Office as postal assistant. The Supreme Sacrifice Roll in this district has many names. Can we forget them – can we fully realize what their sacrifice means to us? The mothers and fathers – it is they who know fully what sacrifice is – they who know the anguish and grief of it all. And yet it is borne with fortitude and nobleness of character. But the loss is felt nevertheless in the secret chambers of the heart. Sympathy at a time like this can hardly assuage the ----? of parents, yet it is the only thing to offer. Private Jack Buckley has fought the good fight. The call came and he went. And may the Great Architect of the Universe give his consoling love to the bereaved parents and family.

Gosford Times 26.9.1918. Deep sympathy is felt for Mrs Kelman and Mrs Baker in the death of their only brother.

Gosford times 3.10.1918. Late Private John Buckley An Appreciation by “An Admirer” We take the following from the Maitland MERCURY:- Regret was never more sincerely felt by the people of Morpeth and district at the death of --- of this district’s soldiers than was felt on Sunday last when it became known that Private John Buckley, son of Mr J. J. Buckley, of Gosford, who was for many years postmaster at Morpeth, had been killed in action in France. Noble, generous, brave, kind, a young man of unblemished character, whose one ambition was to do his duty as he saw it; are faithful expressions to use in explaining the character of Jack Buckley. Of all the lovable characters in our midst - and Australia has proved she possesses at least her share – few would surpass deceased soldier. Sweetly disposed towards his comrades and friends, ever willing to assist in any way, those in need of assistance, a faithful brother, and fond and affectionate son, it was little wonder he captivated the hearts of all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Though only very young, too young perhaps to stand the fierce and hot blooded conflict of the battlefield, John Buckley felt the call a personal one, and in the spirit characteristic of the man nothing would prevent him answering. Securing the consent of his parents, he sailed with the blessing and hopes of all, that a speedy return would be his. He was not long at the scene of action before his enthusiasm and Australian daring secured for him that great military distinction of being selected as a sniper. After long dreary months in the trenches he returned to England, and remained there some little time. His desire to be actively engaged was irresistible, however, and he proceeded to France, only to meet his death. In the Postal Department of the Public Service, his advancement was rapid, and further successes awaited him. At the time of his enlistment he was in the relieving staff, having passed all higher examinations. His admirers had every reason for confidently believing before many years he would have been occupying one of the highest positions in the service. Although words of sympathy will undoubtedly sound cold to the bereaved relatives, they have the consolation of knowing that their boy was respected and beloved by all. His sincere devotion to his Church earned for him the respect of his fellow religionists, while devotion to duty obtained for him the admiration of all sections. With every truth it can be said he was one of natures whitest sons, and certainly a noble example for all our future careers.

Abridged record/s courtesy of the National Archives of Australia (NAA) Series No: B2455 Item Barcode: 3162574