Pte 57696 Harold Buckingham

• Age: 25
• From: Beeston, Notts
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 9th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Neuville-vitasse Rd Cem
  Panel Ref: A.2

Harold Buckingham was born in Beeston in 1891, the illegitimate son of Harriet Buckingham. He was baptised privately on the 28th October 1891 at St John the Baptist Church, Beeston. 

Harriet's parents, Charles and Harriet (née Matthews), had moved with their family to Stagglethorpe, Nottinghamshire in the 1870s, where Charles worked as an agricultural labourer before moving to Beeston in the 1880s.

In 1891 they were living at 5 Newton Street, Beeston with Charles working as a gardener and his daughter Harriett as a wool dresser. Charles died aged 58 in the June quarter of 1891 and young Harriet gave birth to Harold later in the year. They moved to a small cottage at 4 Willoughby Street, Beeston.

In 1896 Harriet married Walter Gough, originally from Sheffield. 

In 1901, they were living at 31 Regent Street, Beeston with their then three children and with Walter working as a steel polisher at the Humber cycle works. Harold, however, was living with his widowed maternal grandmother, Harriet aged 67,who had, by then moved to 16 Crown Yard, Beeston and was working as a charwoman.

Harriet senior died in 1907, aged 74.

By the time of the 1911 Census, Harold had moved in with his mother's family at 86 Regent Street, Beeston, he was 18 years old, and employed as a cardpuncher in a Lace Works. Walter Gough was aged 43 working in a cycle works, Harriett was 38 and born in Norwich, they advise that they have been married for 16 years and have had 8 children, 7 of whom have survived. However all eight children from the marriage were declared on the Census; Elsie 15 a bobbin winder at Lace Works, Walter 13 errand boy for coal dealer, Willie 11 at school, Herbert 9, Doris 7, Bernard 4, Bertha 11 months, and Harry 2 months.

Harold’s Army Service Record has not survived, it appears that Harold enlisted in November 1915, initially as 356, North Midland Cyclist Company and was serving with the 18^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 57696.

On the 9th April 1917, the battalion took part in the Battle of Arras, during an attack against the Hindenburg Line at Neuville-Vitasse, when they were stopped by the still intact enemy wire defences, suffering heavy casualties from intense enemy machine-gun and rifle fire. 

Arras 09^th April 1917

Details of the circumstances the 18^th Battalion had to contend with are illustrated below:

The battalion formed the left assaulting battalion of the brigade, the 2^nd Wiltshire Regiment being on the right, the 19^th Manchester Regiment being in support and 2^nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment furnishing “moppers -up”  for the two assaulting battalions. The brigade advance was timed to begin at ---- hour after “Zero”, suited to conform with the movements of 56^th Division and other divisions on our left further north (near Arras). This battalion’s objective was the front-line system Lion Lane on the left (exclusive) to Panther Lane on right (exclusive). This sector included the strongpoint known as “The Egg”.

The brigade advanced at prearranged time, i.e., 11.38 a.m, from position of assembly trenches south of Neuville Vitasse to German front line. This necessitated an advance across the open of at least 2,000 yards. This area up to Neuville Vitasse- Henin road was crossed in artillery formation; after this, owing to machine-gun fire and considerable resistance from German posts forward in the sunken roads, it was found necessary to deploy. During the whole movement across the open the advancing columns had been under considerable artillery fire from guns of all calibres. On gaining the position immediately in front of German line it was found that the wire was practically uncut; this wire formed two strong belts in front of German trenches. Two small gaps were eventually discovered and Second-Lieut H.F.Merry gallantly led a bombing party through them, but his three remaining men were killed as they reached the German trenches.

From the moment the battalion was “held up” in front of German wire Capt. R. W. Jones, the senior company commander on the spot, at once began the work of consolidating in front of German wire. The battalion held on in this position for the remainder of the day, until relieved by the 16^th Manchester Regiment about 3 a.m. on the 10^th of April, all the time under intense machine-gun and rifle fire.

Between 9th-10th April, 1917, the 18th King's lost 2 officers 2nd Lt. F. Ashcroft and 2nd Lt. H.G. Ewing and 59 other ranks killed. 8 other officers were wounded.  

Harold was one of the other ranks killed in action and he now rests at Neuville-Vitasse Road Cemetery

The village of Neuville-Vitasse was captured by the 56th (London) Division on 9 April 1917, almost entirely lost at the end of March 1918, and cleared at the end of the following August. The cemetery was made by units of the 33rd Division after the first capture of the village, and two other burials were added in June 1917. Neuville-Vitasse Road Cemetery now contains 86 First World War burials, 11 of them unidentified. 

His death was reported in the Beeston Gazette and Echo on 05th May 1917:

Private Harold Buckingham, 18th Batt. K.L.R., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Gough, 20, Union street, Beeston, joined the Cycle Corps on October 19th 1915. Later he transferred to the 18th Battalion K.L.R. of whom he won the general goodwill as is testified by a letter from is Captain informing Mr and Mrs Gough that Private Buckingham was killed in action on April 9th. The letter said: "His loss will be felt by all of us, and he was an excellent soldier in every way and a great favourite with the remainder of the men of his company. I feel that I cannot fully express my sympathy in writing, but I feel sure you will realise how deeply I feel for you in your sad loss."

Private Buckingham, who was 26 years of age, was a native of Beeston, and attended the Church Street schools. under Mr. J. Riley, who regarded the boy as "a promising scholar." Buckingham then became a lace maker until the war bugle sounded, and had been in France since the autumn of 1916. Whilst at home he was a keen footballer and four gold medals won League matches have now become valuable mementoes of other days in the home circle. 

BUCKINGHAM—Killed in action April 9, 1917, Private Harold Buckingham, 18th Batt. K.L.R., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Gough, 20, Union street, Beeston.

He bade no one his last farewell,

He waved his hand to none

His spirit fled before we knew

That from us he was gone.

But the unknown grave is the bitterest blow,

None but aching hearts can know.

- From mother, father, brothers, and sisters.

Private Buckingham was entitled to and posthumously awarded the Victory Medal and the British Medal.

His Army financial effects of £1 15s 9d were paid to his mother, as his sole legatee, on 16 August 1917 and she received his War Gratuity of £6 on 17 October 1919.

Harold is commemorated on the Beeston War Memorial.

Harriet, date of birth shown as 28th December 1872, and Walter, date of birth 18th December 1868, appear on the 1939 register still at 20 Union Street, Beeston.

His mother Harriet died in the December quarter of 1944, aged 72. His step father Walter died in the March quarter of 1946, aged 77. 

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