Person

Albert was the son of Henry and Annie Maria Buckle of Raby Park, Staindrop. He lived with his parents, three younger brothers and their servant, Isabella Hall.

In 1911 Albert was working as a gamekeeper on the Raby Estate where his father was head gamekeeper.

He had an older brother, George, who had emigrated to America [Rochester, New York] in about 1907. Another brother, Thomas William, joined George in America in 1910 and he eventually joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force, he was the father of Kenny and Trevor.

Albert joined the 13th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in September 1914 and served in France and Flanders.

Albert died of his wounds at 7th Casualty Clearing Station after having been transferred from 62nd Field Ambulance with a gun shot wound to his buttocks and abdomen. His army service record states that he died on 17 September but his official date of death appears to be 11 September. He is buried at Merville Communal Cemetery, France.

His nephew, Trevor Buckle, writes:
“The battalion spent most of its first year training, during which time Albert was promoted to Corporal. The battalion went to France on August 25th, 1915, and travelled by train and on foot towards the Front. They underwent further training from 1st to 5th September, and then marched to Hazebrouck and then to Steenberck, which is not far from Armentieres. On 9th September they marched to Sailly Bridge, and on the way one soldier was wounded. The following day 10th September, the two remaining platoons marched to the trenches, but at about 7:15 in the evening they were caught by machine gun fire and five soldiers were wounded, one slightly. On 11th September Albert died of his wounds. There were no casualties reported that day, so he was shot either on the 9th or 10th September on virtually his first day at the trenches. His was a short war!”

Civil Parish: Staindrop

Birth date: 1888

Death date: 11-Sep-1915

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: Raby Park, Staindrop (1911 census and army service record)

Religion: Church of England

Employment: Gamekeeper (1911 census and army service record)

Family: Parents: Henry Buckle, Annie Maria Buckle
Siblings: George Buckle, Thomas William Buckle, Henry Oswald Buckle, Frederick Charles Buckle, Ernest Cecil Buckle (1911 census and army service record)

Military service:

Attested at Darlington, 14 September 1914
17220
A Company
Appointed lance corporal, 6 October 1914
Promoted corporal, 30 January 1915
Disembarked France, 25 August 1915

Medal(s): 1914-15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal

Memorial(s): Saint Mary’s Church, Staindrop, plaque
Saint Mary’s Church, Staindrop, book of remembrance

Gender: Male

Contributed by StaindropWW1, Staindrop