Walter Thomas Buckland
Surname: Buckland
Other names: Walter Thomas
Locations in this story: Parsons Pool, Shaftesbury, DorsetReading, BerkshireBerkhamsted, HertfordshireEgyptFrance & FlandersParchin, GermanyHampstead, LondonHammersmith, LondonFulham, MiddlesexLondon, SW13
Story: Walter Thomas Buckland was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 16th June 1883, the son of William Thomas Buckland, a Coal Merchant and Auctioneer, and Emma Buckland (née Guy). He spent his early life in Parsons Pool, Shaftesbury, until by 1901 he had moved to Reading, Berkshire, where he was boarding out and working as an Apprentice Drapers Assistant. The Census of 1911 shows he was then lodging at 21 Kitsbury Road, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, and was working as a Wholesale Millinery Warehouseman.
He enlisted and joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 83321). He was posted to Egypt on 5 Jul 1915 and served with the 68th Brigade, rising to the rank of Bombardier. Whilst there he was hospitalized with dysentry and piles. He was transferred to France and Flanders where he joined the 86th Brigade. On 21st March 1918 the Germans had launched their Spring Offensive in the Somme area near Saint-Quentin. Whilst the offensive did not succeed, Walter was taken prisoner on the 21st Mar 1918 at Templeux-Le Guerard, a nearby village. He was held in a Prisoner of War camp at Parchin, Germany, until the end of hostilities. He was repatriated and eventually discharged and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He promptly re-enlisted on 10th June 1919 and joined the Royal Army Service Corps as a Corporal (Service No. A/451055). He was finally discharged under Kings Regulation 322 (XXV) as being surplus to requirements on 10th May 1920.
The 1921 Census shows him boarding at 43 Radipole Road, Fulham, Middlesex, working as Ladies Hat Shaper in Buckram. At the time of the 1939 Registry he was living at 34 Constantine Road, Hampstead, London, was single, and working as a Civil Service Clerk at the Ministry of Supply. He died at the West London Hospital on 10 Nov 1964 - his last known address being given as 24 Byfield Gardens, London, SW13. His brother, Francis Hannen Buckland, also served in the conflict.
He enlisted and joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 83321). He was posted to Egypt on 5 Jul 1915 and served with the 68th Brigade, rising to the rank of Bombardier. Whilst there he was hospitalized with dysentry and piles. He was transferred to France and Flanders where he joined the 86th Brigade. On 21st March 1918 the Germans had launched their Spring Offensive in the Somme area near Saint-Quentin. Whilst the offensive did not succeed, Walter was taken prisoner on the 21st Mar 1918 at Templeux-Le Guerard, a nearby village. He was held in a Prisoner of War camp at Parchin, Germany, until the end of hostilities. He was repatriated and eventually discharged and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He promptly re-enlisted on 10th June 1919 and joined the Royal Army Service Corps as a Corporal (Service No. A/451055). He was finally discharged under Kings Regulation 322 (XXV) as being surplus to requirements on 10th May 1920.
The 1921 Census shows him boarding at 43 Radipole Road, Fulham, Middlesex, working as Ladies Hat Shaper in Buckram. At the time of the 1939 Registry he was living at 34 Constantine Road, Hampstead, London, was single, and working as a Civil Service Clerk at the Ministry of Supply. He died at the West London Hospital on 10 Nov 1964 - his last known address being given as 24 Byfield Gardens, London, SW13. His brother, Francis Hannen Buckland, also served in the conflict.
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