Lieut-Colonel John Leslie Gibson Buckland MC MM
4th Signal Troop, 4th Light Horse Brigade AIF
4th Division Signal Coy AIF
Fortifications and Works at Land HQ (WWII)
By Robert Simpson
John Leslie Gibson Buckland was the youngest child to Arthur Robert Buckland and Elizabeth Littley Gibson and was born on 12th August 1887 at Werris Creek, Quirindi, New South Wales. Arthur was born in Tasmania and had married Elizabeth in Walcha, New South Wales on 1st July 1878. He was a teacher. Elizabeth was born in Scotland. On the Buckland side, his Grandmother’s parents were both convicts, sent to Australia, while his Grandfather’s parents were free settlers in the colony. There is quite a bit of information available on them. His Mother’s parents and family migrated from Scotland in 1856. His Mother had been born on board the Commodore Perry on 9th April 1856. The ship arrived in Sydney on 1st May 1856. Not much is known of his early life. They had four sons Arthur Gibson Buckland, Cecil Oswald Buckland, John and Percival Claude Buckland, and two daughters Ettie May Buckland and Agnes Robson Buckland. Arthur was born in Grafton in 1879, married Mary G Barrett in Yass in 1902 and died in Mayfield NSW in 1940. Cecil was born on 1st August 1880 in Grafton, married Lottie Elliott in Sydney in 1905 and died in Chatswood NSW on 25th October 1951. Ettie was born in 1882 in Uralla, married Roy Wightman in Sydney in 1921 and nothing else is known about her. Agnes was born in 1884 in Tamworth and nothing else is known on her. Percival was born in Bathurst in 1890, married Alice E Alderman in Dubbo in 1913 and died in North Sydney in 1957.
Elizabeth Buckland (1856-1944)
John enlisted on 10th December 1914 as Sapper 986 2nd Division Signal Company at the Engineer Depot in Moore Park, Sydney. He gave his occupation as telegraphist with the N.S.W. Government railways, his religion as Church of England and his current address and that of his next-of-kin as “care of A. R. Buckland (Father), teacher, Public Instruction, Sydney”. His daily rate of pay was 9 shillings and his pay book number was 66742. He was 27 years and 5 months old, 5 foot 9.5 inches tall, weighed 152 pounds, chest measurement 34 to 37 inches, blue eyes and light brown hair. He had a vaccination mark on his left arm and moles on the back of his neck. John was transferred to the 4th Signal Troop on 11th March 1915 and was appointed Corporal on the 28th. His term of service was for the duration of the war and four months afterward.
He embarked on HMAT Ajana A31 on 31st May 1915 at Sydney as Corporal 986 with the 4th Light Horse Brigade, 4th Signal Troop. He was transferred to 2nd Divisional Signal Company on 2nd September 1915 and the ship Southland, on which he was being transported to the Dardanelles, was torpedoed on that day. It had left Alexandria on 30th August. John eventually arrived at Gallipoli on the 7th. He was appointed as a 2nd Lieutenant on 14th March 1916 and as Lieutenant on 14th June. On 30th June 1916 he was recommended for a Military Medal with a rank of Corporal. The action for which it was recommended was: – “He was on S.S. Southland when torpedoed in the Aegean Sea and rendered excellent assistance lowering the boats and getting the various crews away, he himself being among the last boats to leave the ship. At ANZAC he worked directly under me systemising and maintaining Artillery communications. During the bombardment of Lone Pine on 25th November 1915 when the bulk of Artillery cables were cut by shell fire Cpl. Buckland remained in the trenches there and in Gun Lane repairing the lines and thus restoring communications between Artillery Bdes. and the guns. His work in this unit since the unit’s formation is of the highest order, his assistance to me in the forming and training of this Unit was invaluable.” It also has a note saying “Special appreciation by Lt. Col A.J. Bessell-Brown CB, O.C. 2nd Bde AFA attached hereto”. Unfortunately, it was not attached so it is not known what he wrote. The medal was awarded and Gazetted on 27th October 1916. He was transferred to the hospital from Anzac on 17th November 1915 and returned on 20th.
He disembarked at Alexandria on 4th January 1916 and was transferred to 4th Divisional Signal Company on 9th March 1916. At Tel-el-Kebir on 14th he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. They embarked from Alexandria on the Kingsfaun Castle on 2nd June and arrived at Marseilles on 8th. As a Lieutenant (from 14th June) in the 4th Division Signal Company he was recommended for a Military Cross on 20th September 1916. It read “For constant devotion to duty in the vicinity of Pozinnes between 67th and 16th August, and between 28th August and 4th September 1916, and again in the Ypres Salient during September 1916. During these times Lieut. Buckland was in charge of the telegraph lines forward of 4th Aust. Division Headquarters. Day and night he was out with his cable wagon repairing improving and strengthening the Divisional Communications. Since arriving in Ypres Salient Lieut. Buckland has been untiring in his efforts under adverse circumstances, completing the buried cable system of communications”. It was signed my Major-General H. V. Cox 4th Australian Division and was announced in the London Gazette on 1st January 1917. The Sydney Morning Herald has a list of New Year honours on the 2nd January 1917 and he appears in this list as being decorated in recognition of their distinguished conduct. He had leave to UK from 11th to 21st December and was detached from 4th Australian Division Signal Company for duty with Australian Division Signal School on 26th December 1916 and rejoined his unit in April 1917. He had leave in Paris from 11th to 15th May 1917 and to UK from 5th to 15th September. He was transferred from the 4th to the 5th Signal Company on 26th October 1917 and from them to the 3rd on 24th November 1917. He was to be Captain, with seniority, as from 4th December 1917 but for purposes and pay and allowances as from 4th February 1918. From 21st June to 7th July he had leave in England.
He was also recommended for a Mention in Despatches on 7 Feb 1919 as a Captain in the 3rd Division Signal Company Engineers. It is not noted what for. This was awarded and published in the London Gazette in Sir Douglas Haig’s despatch on 11th July 1919. He was granted leave to UK from 25th April 1919 and boarded the SS Devenha in England on 8th May 1919 to return to Australia. His appointment for active service was terminated on 25th August 1919.
John married Violet E C Henden, the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H Henden of Orange, on Tuesday 12th August 1919 in the Presbyterian Church, Blackheath, at Katoomba, New South Wales. She was born in Orange in 1887 after her parents had migrated from England in 1884. John and Violet had 2 children, John and Jill, but not much else is known about them other than Jill married a Kenneth Martin. Ken served in WW2 as Signalman VX88203 and he was a radio serviceman after the war. John married Mavis Moss in 1949.
John and Violet Buckland
He was appointed Captain on 1st July 1920 but was transferred to Australian Engineers 2nd Military District with the rank of Lieutenant on 1st October. He was transferred to 2nd Division Signals with the rank of Captain on 31st March 1921 and was Commanding Officer of No. 1 Company 2nd Division Signals. On 1st July 1923 he was transferred to Signal Service 3rd Military District with regimental seniority next after Major J.E.S. Stevens. He was transferred to Reserve of Officers on 27th February 1925.
Between 1924 and 1937 they lived at 29 Sims St, Sandringham, Victoria. His occupation was listed as an engineer on the Electoral rolls for that period. His Father passed away in 1934 in Enfield. It was mentioned of his extensive experience in country districts and being a successful organiser of night schools in his obituary. John was mentioned in Who’s Who in Australia in 1935 and 1938 as Captain J. L. G. Buckland M.C. M.M. On 1st March 1939 he was placed on the Regular Reserves List for 3rd Division Signals.
During World War 2, on 10th November 1939 he was listed as Major (Temporary) on a routine order and was Inspector Royal Engineer machinery part time only on 22nd November 1939. His Officer’s Record of Service form states he was called up for full time duty as Inspector R.E. Machinery “O” Branch Army Headquarters on 27th November 1939. His wife was listed as living at “Tolga” Sims St Sandringham and there is also an address of 37 North Rd Brighton on the form, which is confirmed with the Electoral Rolls. On 14th December 1939 he was appointed to Royal Australian Engineers (Machinery) at the 3rd Military District (Victoria). He was appointed Deputy Assistant Director Works at Headquarters Southern Command (Victoria) on 3rd August 1940. He enlisted in the Australian Army as V1739 on 3rd August 1940 at Brighton Victoria. Unfortunately, his service records at National Archives are not open so not much is known of this service. He was discharged on 22nd January 1946, as his appointment was terminated, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel from the posting of 7 Aust CRE (Works). He was the Director of Fortifications and Works at Land Headquarters. For his services in the Militia between the wars he was awarded the Efficiency Decoration.
John and Violet at a family wedding.
From 1942 to 1954 they seemed to alternate between 37 North Rd, Easternwick and 13 Baird St, Brighton (where their daughter and son-in-law lived) and he was listed as an engineer or consulting engineer. There is no information of what he did after the war apart from the listings in the above electoral rolls. He passed way in 1956 in Park, Victoria and his address was still 13 Baird St. It was stated in his death notice in the paper that he died of an accident, but no details can be found as to what that accident was. As an update, a family member stated “He fell from a flight of stairs, landing on his feet and his spine went through his brain, he was in hospital for several days but never regained consciousness.” He died on 18th April and his funeral was at Sleight’s Funeral Home on St. Kilda Rd at 3pm on the 20th. He was then taken to Springvale Garden Crematorium where he was cremated and placed in Renowden Chapel, Columbarium, Room 3 Section D Niche 14. His service records note “stated to have died 18/4/56 necropolised 5/6/56”.
In May 1967 a Mrs A. G. Worboys writes to the Records Office requesting a copy of his discharge papers in order to use them to help her apply for a war widows’ unit. It seems a strange request as her late husband, Albert George Worboys, had served in WW2 as Bombardier N172719 so she could have referred to him. Jean was a niece to John and had to show to the Vasey Housing Auxiliary N.S.W. that she was a widow or relative of a deceased ex-serviceman by supplying a certificate confirming their service. It is not known what happened as no copy of the reply is in his file. She was Jean, the daughter of Cecil Oswald Buckland, John Leslie’s older brother.
His widow returned a form to the Army Records Office on 22nd July 1967 to apply for a Gallipoli Medallion for him after sending them a letter on the 4th to claim it.
On 22nd May 1968 the Repatriation Department writes to the Army Records Office for a copy of his service record.
His wife was still living at 13 Baird St in 1977 and she died on 30th December 1977 in Brighton, Victoria. Violet was cremated and the ashes placed in the same niche as John.
His medals are: – Military Cross, Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal with Mention in Despatches, Pacific Star, War Medal 1939-1945, Australian Service Medal 1939-1945 and Efficiency Decoration.
The medals are on display at the Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum.
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