Frank Buckley
Frank Buckley enlisted in the Pals on the 19th September 1914, giving his age as 19 years and 3 months, being born in Chorley on the 17th June 1896. His father, Frank S. Buckley, married Elizabeth A. Heaton (the mother of Chorley Pal, William Heaton) at Manchester Cathedral during 1893. An Engineer by trade, Frank was single and lived at 88 Devonshire Road in Chorley, attending St. George’s Church in the town.
Lance Corporal Buckley was at Serre on the 1st July 1916. He was wounded in both legs by a German “bomb” (either an artillery shell or grenade) at Richebourg on the 8th August 1916, being treated at the 7th CCS (Casualty Clearing Station). He was moved to the 13th General Hospital in Boulogne, having his second toe on his left foot amputated. Frank was sent back to the U.K. to the 4th Scottish General Hospital in Glasgow on the 13th August and, after recovering from his wounds, he was posted to the 3rd (Depot) Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment at Prescot in January 1917. He was sent back to France later in the year, returning to the Pals on the 7th July. He spent some time in medical facilities in France in September and November 1917, suffering from Dermatitis (to his legs). He was sent on a course with the Corps of Signals between the 25th November and 31st December 1917, to be trained as a Signaller. In March 1918 he sustained a hernia as a result of him falling whilst carrying signalling equipment during action.
Frank was promoted to Lance Corporal (unpaid) with the Pals on the 10th August 1918 and won a Military Medal on the 28th September whilst serving in Ploegsteert Wood on the Ypres Salient (published in the London Gazette 14th May 1919). Frank received the following letter from his Divisional Commander:
L/Cpl Frank Buckley MM
11th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment
I have read with much pleasure the reports of your regimental commander and brigade commander regarding your gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the field on the 28th September 1918. And have ordered your name and deed to be entered in the record of the 31st Division.
Major General John Campbell
Commanding 31st Division
L/Cpl. Frank Buckley with his Military Medal
Frank Buckley was at St. Omer in Northern France on the 24th January 1919, being discharged from the Army on the 2nd March. He was awarded a gratuity of £63 in April 1919 – assessed as £25 for having a hernia, but only receiving £20 for the loss of a toe; the rest (£18) was for service in the war.
Frank married Martha Seed Iddon on the 17th July 1925 at St. George’s Church in Chorley; he died on the 11th October 1943, having worked at Leyland Motors in Chorley between the wars. Frank’s half brother was Sgt. William Heaton who also served in the Pals.
Other Information: Chorley Pals, Frank Buckley and William Heaton lived next door but one to Colour Sgt. Donnelly in 1901 (he lived at no. 90 Devonshire Road).
