Francis Hannen Buckland

Story:
Francis Hannen Buckland was born on 30th September 1878 in St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised there at St. James' Church on 27th October 1878, the son of William Thomas Buckland and Emma Buckland (née Guy). The family were living in Parsons Pool, Shaftesbury, and the father was described as an Auctioneer. Francis married Jemima Grace Yaxley on 28th November 1908 at St. Johns Church, Lower Weston, Bath. They lived at 51 High Steet, Shaftesbury and went on to have two children. Francis enlisted on 19th August 1915 and joined the Royal Engineers as a Sapper (Service No. 73120). He served in France from 16 Jun 1916 and later in Italy and was employed as an office telegraphist. His last posting was to the 7th Divisional Signal Company after which he was demobilized on 20th February 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at 59 High Street, Shaftesbury, working as a Post ooofice Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist. By the 1939 Register he had moved to 3 Boscombe Road, Hammersmith, London, and was now described as a Filing Clerk for Post Office Telegraphs. He died in 1958 in the Paddington, London, Registry District.  His brother, Walter Thomas Buckland, also served in the conflict and was taken prisoner by the Germans in 1918.