Alexander Henry Buckley

He rushed a gun post and died attacking one more under fire.

Alexander Henry Buckley was born on 22 July 1891 at Warren, New South Wales. A 24-year-old farmer, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 3 February 1916 as Private 1876. He embarked for overseas service on 23 June and joined the 54th Australian Infantry Battalion on the Somme in November 1916.

Buckley fought at Bullecourt and Polygon Wood in 1917. His battalion returned to the Somme in April 1918 and took part in the Allied counter-offensive that August. By the attack on Péronne, France, he was serving as a temporary corporal.

On 1 September 1918, the 54th Battalion advanced through ground between Péronne and the river. After passing the first objective, Buckley's half-company and troops on its flank were stopped by a German machine-gun nest. He and one other soldier rushed the position, killing four defenders and capturing 22 prisoners. A second machine-gun nest then covered the only available footbridge across a moat. While comrades engaged it from the flank, Buckley attempted to cross the bridge and attack the post. He was killed by machine-gun fire, aged 27.

Victoria Cross citation

His posthumous Victoria Cross citation, published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 23 May 1919, page 877, reads:

“For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice at Peronne during the operations on 1st and 2nd September, 1918. After passing the first objective his half-company and part of the company on the flank were held up by an enemy machine-gun nest. With one man he rushed the post, shooting four of the occupants and taking twenty-two prisoners. Later on, reaching a moat, it was found that another machine-gun nest commanded the only available foot-bridge.

Whilst this was being engaged from a flank Corporal Buckley endeavoured to cross the bridge and rush the post, but was killed in the attempt. Throughout the advance he had displayed great initiative, resource, and courage, and by his effort to save his comrades from casualties, he set a fine example of self-sacrificing devotion to duty.”

Buckley is buried in Péronne Communal Cemetery Extension in France. His Victoria Cross is preserved in the Australian War Memorial collection, commemorating his effort to spare his comrades further casualties.