Pte 48343 James Buck

• Age: 20
• From: Birkdale
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• D.O.W Wednesday 11th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Warlincourt Halte Brit Cem
  Panel Ref: VIII.E.12

James Buck was born in Birkdale on the 18th August 1896 and was baptised on the 18th June 1909 at St Paul's Church, Southport along with his brother Percy. He was the son of Henry Herbert Buck and his wife Ellen (nee Sparks). His parents had married in 1883 also at St Paul's Church, Southport. 

The 1901 Census finds the family living at 112 Linaker Street, Southport. James is 4 years of age and is living with his parents and 9 siblings. His father is shown as a bricklayer and contractor born in Southport in 1859, whilst his mother Ellen is shown as having been born in Wallasey in 1859. All of his nine siblings were born in Southport and are listed as; Herbert J. 17 and a bricklayers apprentice, Frederick 15, Ellen 13, Jeanette 11, Isabella 8, Thomas 6, Percy 2 and twins Eveline and Martha newborn.

The 1911 Census finds the family still living at the same address. James is 14 and employed as a joiners assistant. He is living with his parents and his eight siblings, all born in Southport who are listed as;  Frederick 25 a bricklayer, Ellen 23, Jeanette 21 a dressmaker, Isabella 18 a dressmaker, Thomas 16 an office boy, Percy 12 a scholar and twins Eveleen and Martha both schoolgirls.

On 15th February 1913, James joined the General Union of Carpenters and Joiners.

James enlisted in Southport and was serving with the 19th Battalion of The Kings Liverpool Regiment as Private 48343 when he died of wounds on 11th April 1917 aged 20. 

He now rests at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery in France at VIII.E.12 where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"SAFE IN GOD'S KEEPING"

The site of the cemetery was chosen in May 1916. It was used from June 1916 to May 1917 by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, in February 1917 by the 1/1st South Midland, and from April to June 1917 by the 32nd. The whole of plots VII, VIII, IX and X were filled in April and May 1917, the months of the Battles of Arras. From June 1917, the cemetery was practically unused until the fighting of May and June 1918, when field ambulances buried in it. After the Armistice the cemetery was increased by graves brought in from other small military cemeteries.

The cemetery now contains 1,266 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 29 German and two French war graves.

The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden.

Soldiers Effects to father Henry and mother Ellen.

The Southport Guardian reported his death

April 11th - Pte James Buck, K.L.R., son of Pte H.H. Buck died of wounds.  

He is also commemorated on the family headstone in Duke Street cemetery, Southport which reads:-

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

JAMES BUCK

Beloved Son of Henry Herbert and Ellen

Who Died of Wounds in France

11th April 1917, Aged 20 Years

He is also commemorated on the Southport War Memorial.

His father died, aged 71, in September 1929 and his mother died, aged 78, in 1936.

We currently have no further information on James Buck, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.