Cecil William Buckley

Cecil William Buckley was a Royal Navy officer whose daring amphibious raids during the Crimean War earned him the Victoria Cross. His name appeared first in the original list of Victoria Cross recipients published in the London Gazette on 24 February 1857, although earlier acts of gallantry by other recipients predated his own.

Born on 7 October 1828 at Patricroft near Eccles, Lancashire, according to the Dictionary of National Biography and Salford City Council, Buckley entered the Royal Navy in the mid-1840s. He served in several vessels before joining HMS Miranda as a lieutenant during the Crimean War. The ship was deployed to the White Sea in 1854, where Buckley took part in operations against Russian coastal positions. During the attack on Kola, he was sent ashore under a flag of truce to demand the town's surrender before the British bombardment.

In 1855, HMS Miranda moved to the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, where Allied naval forces targeted Russian supply lines and coastal installations. Buckley was present during the attack on Fort Arabat on 28 May. The following day, near Genitchi, he volunteered with Lieutenant Hugh Talbot Burgoyne and Gunner John Robarts to land and destroy Russian military stores beyond effective covering fire from the ships. The three men carried out the operation and escaped as Cossack cavalry threatened to cut off their withdrawal.

On 3 June 1855, during the Allied bombardment of Taganrog, Buckley undertook another hazardous operation. Accompanied by Boatswain Henry Cooper and volunteers in a four-oared gig, he repeatedly landed along the waterfront to destroy enemy stores and government buildings while the defenders attempted to prevent the landings.

For his actions at Genitchi and Taganrog, Buckley received one Victoria Cross. He was a lieutenant during the actions and a commander when the award was gazetted. The two dates were engraved on his decoration, awarded with the dark-blue ribbon then reserved for Royal Navy recipients. He advanced to Commander in February 1856.

Buckley continued his naval career through appointments that included HMS Snake, HMS Merlin, HMS Forte and HMS Persian. Promoted to Captain in 1862, he later commanded HMS Pylades on the Pacific station and HMS Valiant on coastguard duty in the Shannon. Ill health ended his active service in October 1872.

He died at Funchal, Madeira, on 7 December 1872 and was buried in the British Cemetery. His original Victoria Cross is preserved in the Royal Collection.