The Julian Johnson Collection

The unique M.C. and Two Bar group of four awarded to Major Tom Buckley, 1st Battalion, Royal Marine Light Infantry

Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second and Third Award Bars; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. T. Buckley. R.M.); Defence Medal, good very fine (4) £2600-3000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Julian Johnson Collection.

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M.C. London Gazette 26 July 1918: T/Lt. Tom Buckley, R. Marines. [Aveluy Wood]

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Being entrusted with the work of demolishing stores during the withdrawal, he blew up large ammunition dumps at great personal risk and fired stores and buildings. He accomplished this work under heavy fire, being amongst the last to leave the ground on each occasion.’

Bar to M.C. London Gazette 11 January 1919: T/Lt. Tom Buckley, M.C., 1st Bn., R. Marines. [Le Barque]

‘He led his company forward in an attack with great gallantry and skill in the face of heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, and on reaching the objective he consolidated with initiative and ability, repelling a heavy counter-attack which was launched shortly afterwards. It was largely due to his fine example that the line was maintained intact.’

Second Bar to M.C. London Gazette 11 January 1919: T/Lt. Tom Buckley, M.C., 1st Bn., R. Marines. [Inchy & Canal Crossings]

‘He led an advanced bombing party up a trench towards the objective and gained a footing on the bridgehead, which he maintained till reinforced. He displayed the greatest gallantry and determination under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire from both flanks and from the rear, and set a splendid example to his men.’

Tom Buckley was born on 11 January 1895, second son of William Buckley, of Hyde, Cheshire, his father being a weaving manager of the Newton Moor Mill. A native of Hyde, he was educated at Flowery Field School, and obtained a scholarship to the Hyde Secondary School. On leaving school he joined the Civil Service, but in 1914 he enlisted in the London Scottish Regiment (Entitled to 1915-15 Star as Private, No. 3494, 14th London Regiment). He went to France on 19 March 1915 and was present at the battle of Loos, where he received a bullet wound in the left shoulder. After a period in hospital he went to Richmond Park, London, where he acted as bombing instructor, holding that position for about 12 months. By this time he had been given his first stripe, and was then offered a commission. He accepted it, and after three months’ training at Newmarket, was gazetted second-lieutenant in the Royal Marine Light Infantry, with which unit he remained until he was demobilised. Shortly after being gazetted he again went out to France, and was chosen as Brigade Bombing Officer. He received rapid promotion, and at the age of 23 he had been promoted to the rank of Major, being at the time one of the youngest officers in the British Army to hold field rank. During his investiture at Buckingham Palace by King George V, the King commented on his youthfulness to hold such a high rank in the Army. He was demobilised on 8 April 1919. Before the outbreak of war in 1939, Major Buckley organised the Special Constabulary for Hyde, and became the first commandant. During the war he was a founding officer of the 36th Cheshire (Hyde) Battalion, Home Guard, of which he was second in command and for a time was also “D” Company Commander. In civilian life he became general manager of Messrs. J. and J. Ashton, Ltd., Newton Moor Mill, Hyde. During the campaign in France, Major Buckley suffered severely from the effects of gas, and the disability became increasingly worse in later years. He died from the effects of gas on 26 September 1946, aged 51 years.

Sold with a good original portrait photograph in uniform, his commission document as 2nd Lieut., R.M., dated 20 March 1917, illuminated certificate for service to the Home Guard 1940-44, three original news cuttings regarding his three gallantry awards, and an original typed letter home, dated 31 March 1918, in which he describes the events during the Great German March Offensive, for which he was later awarded the M.C.:

‘... On the morning of the 21st, I was still in my old chateau which was in the nearest village to ____ that the British held. The terrific bombardment opened sometime before dawn and we guessed that “the day” had arrived. Although guns flashed as far as one could see, and we all waited standing to arms, the Bosch didn’t come over on our front, naturally all day we were very curious to know what had happened on the remainder of the battle front and about midnight we got orders to withdraw some distance as the Bosche had got in on our flanks. Our line in normal times was at the apex of a very sharp salient so had we remained we would undoubtedly have got captured next day. The whole line was accordingly withdrawn without the Bosche knowing anything about it, and I think I can claim to be about the last man in the village as my own special work was the blowing up of dumps and dug-outs &c. One place I was very loathe to blow in. This was the Catacomb underneath the Church, which was about 200 feet deep and extended for some hundreds of yards. It was consequently very important to destroy the place as it would accommodate about 1000 men with absolute safety. Well, I eventually got away alright and our new line was taken up without a shot having been fired. Next night we again had to go back after coming into contact with Bosche patrols only. Again next afternoon we withdrew to the next line where our first battle was fought.

It was the morning of the 24th, they came for us. Our boys put up a fine fight until, hopelessly outnumbered with Bosche coming in on all sides, tired out with more killing, those who were not killed or captured again withdrew. My own company were left with 5 out of 150. This time it was quite a big withdrawal. The marvellous thing about all the withdrawals was the fact that each one was carried out as though on the Barrack Square. We came back through several villages taken by us since the opening of the offensive on July 1, 1916, and reached our destination in time to get a report that enemy cavalry were right on our heels. Tired as they were the men immediately lined out and kept the Bosche away till next morning. Since then we have been reluctantly giving up small stretches of ground, fighting for every inch until now we have definitely checked the advance in our section...’