Buckley, John Joseph

Gosford District Casualties of World War One

Bragg, Edmund Allen Service Number 1494

Killed in Action 19th May 1915 Gallipoli Peninsula

Gosford District Casualties of World War One

Buckley, John Joseph Service Number 3122

Killed in Action 1st September 1918 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

(© 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 1st 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.

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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 ENLIST-MENT

Rutherford, NSW

PREVIOUS SERVICE Nil

NEXT OF KIN Parents;-John & Mary Anne Buckley, PO Gosford, NSW

1919-PO Arncliffe, NSW

PHYSICAL DESCRIP-TION

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 & Scroll-351898

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 eve-

ning last that their son and brother, Private John Joseph

Buckley, had been killed in action on 1st September. The de-

ceased 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 Sep-

tember, 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 advis-

ing 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 convic-

tion 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, Brook-

lyn, Wyong, Wiseman’s Ferry and Stockton, and was at-

tached to Nymagee Post Office as postal assistant. The Su-

preme 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 char-acter, 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 Austra-lia has proved she possesses at least her share – few would sur-pass 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 an-swering. 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 sympa-

thy 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 cer-

tainly 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

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

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Buckley, John Joseph

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