Orders, Decorations and Medals

The mounted group of twelve miniature dress medals attributed to Commander H. Buckle, G.C., Royal Navy, George Cross; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type; British War and Victory Medals; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals; Coronation 1953; France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, 4th Class, silver-gilt, gold and enamel, rosette on ribbon, mounted as worn, good very fine (12) £400-460

Henry Buckle was born on 21 August 1889. He was awarded the Albert Medal for Saving Life at Sea, 2nd Class, as an officer aboard the battlecruiser H.M.S. Tiger.

‘While H.M.S. Tiger was undergoing repairs at Invergordon, on the 27th August 1919, two dockyard fitters and an able seaman were overcome by noxious gas in the hold of the ship, and Stoker Petty Officer Bailey, accompanied by a sick-berth attendant, made an unsuccessful attempt at rescue. Both he and his companion had put on respirators, but found them useless. Mr Buckle, the officer of the watch, then arrived on the scene, and in spite of the grave risk of life, which it was now evident would be incurred by further attempts at rescue, immediately went down and succeeded in passing a rope round one of the men. This man was got out, but Mr Buckle was considerably affected by the gas, and could do nothing further. Stoker Petty Officer Bailey, though suffering from the effects of his previous attempts, repeated the operation, and succeeded in getting the other two men out, but all efforts to restore them were futile’ (ref. Gallantry by Wilson and McEwen). Both Buckle and Bailey were awarded the Albert Medal (London Gazette 27 April 1920). The Albert Medal was later exchanged for the George Cross under the Royal Warrant of 21 October 1971.

During 1934-39 Buckle became a whaling inspector in the South Atlantic. He served in the Royal Navy throughout the war and rejoined the whaling fleet in 1946. In addition to his A.M./G.C., Buckle was also awarded the O.B.E. He died at Pimperne, Blandford Forum, Dorset on 22 January 1975.