William John Buckingham

May 22, 2017

Following the Somme 1916 Poppy lapel pin, a few weeks ago the Passchendale 100 Poppy lapel pin was introduced by the Poppy Legion. I didn't hesitate for too long and ordered myself one. This lapel pin is an exclusive tribute to those who fell during the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. The pins are crafted using brass fuses from British shells fired during the battle, while the enamel paint contains earth from the British front line, meaning each one contains the very essence of the historic battlefield.
Each pin commemorates a soldier that fell during the Battle of Passchendaele, my pin commemorates Lance Corporal William John Buckingham. Although this isn't really an adoption grave, I do see him as my second adopted British soldier.

Before the war

William was born on February 21, 1888 in Newport, Isle of Wight.

He was the son of William and Elizabeth Buckingham and lived in Victoria Road 12, Newport. He also lived in Holyrood Street in Newport and Cross Lanes before they moved to Victoria Road, somewhere between 1891 and 1901.

His father was working as a cabman.

William enrolled at Barton School on April 22, 1895 whilst living in Cross Lanes and transferring from Barton Infants.

He was living at the family home in 1911 and was working as a brewer's labourer.

Newport, Isle of Wight, Great Britain

In the army

William John Buckingham enlisted in the army on March 1, 1916. He was mobilized on April 17, 1916.

On May 31, 1917 William left for the European mainland in Southampton. He arrived a day later in the port of Le Havre, France.

Death of William Buckingham

William John Buckingham was killed in action or died of wounds on or shortly after October 4, 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele. He was 29 years young.

This is the Operations report of the battle he was killed in:

William has no known grave. His name is remembered on panel 113-115 of the Memorial of the Missing at Tyne Cot Cemetery in Passchendaele, Belgium. Another possibility is that he lies buried under a grave with an unknown soldier.

Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele, Belgium

Middlesex Regiment

Middlesex Regiment

Lance Corporal

All information may be sent to nicklieten at hotmail.com.

Contact

Up until now I haven't found any relatives of him. I really hope to find some soon.

Personal information

Lance Corporal, British Army
Service # TF/292380
Middlesex Regiment, 3rd/10th Battalion
Enlisted in Winchestr on March 1, 1916

Born: February 21, 1888, Newport, Isle of Wight
Hometown: Newport, Isle of Wight

Died: October 4, 1917 in Belgium (or shortly after)
Status: missing in action (MIA)

Buried: Tyne Cot Memorial of the missing, Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele, Belgium
Awards: British War Medal, Victory Medal

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Family
Father: William Buckingham
Mother: Elizabeth (Smith) Buckingham
Brothers: Charles, Frederick, Albert, Ernest, Edward (died at the age of only 7 months)
Sisters: Amy, Olive, Annie

More information
His brother Frederick served in the Egyptian Expeditionary Force during the First World War, his other brother Ernest served in the British Expeditionary Force.