Queens South Africa Medal 1899-1902. Silver issue with 3 x clasps 'Natal', 'Orange Free State' & 'Transvaal' (6500 Pte J. Buckley, Scot: Rifles)

Died of Wounds: Lance Corporal John Buckley, 1st Battalion Scottish Rifles (Cameronians) is confirmed as having 'Died of Wounds' in France & Flanders' on 15 January 1916

Medal & clasps verification: The QSA medal and all clasps confirmed as entitled and issued per the respective campaign medal roll. The recipient also served in the Great War, and the medal entitlements and references for those issues are also shown as under;

- Queens South Africa medal roll of 2nd Battalion Scottish Rifles: Ref WO 100/182 (Compiled & signed in the field, at Greylingstad, South Africa on 15 August 1901)

- Kings South Africa (with 2 x clasps) medal roll 2nd Battalion Scottish Rifles: Ref WO 100/329
- 1914 Star medal roll of Battalion Scottish Rifles: Ref WO 329/2448

- British War & Interallied Victory Medal medal rolls: Ref WO 329/1119

Important: Lance Corporal John Buckley, 1st Battalion Scottish Rifles (Cameronians) is confirmed as having 'Died of Wounds' in France & Flanders' on 15 January 1916

John Buckley, the son of Thomas Buckley and Rhoda Buckley (nee Oseman), was a native of Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, where he was born circa 1877. The 1891 National Census for England and Wales shows John (14 years of age) employed as a 'Wire Bowler' at a 'Rolling Mill', and living at home with his parents and 4 x sibling brothers, John being the eldest, and at the time the only child then working. The family address is recorded as having been, 2 Back 100, Duddeston Mill Road, Birmingham, England.

During the South African War, John Buckley served with 2nd Battalion Scottish Rifles (Cameronians), and for a period served with a regimental draft attached to No 4 Company 23rd Mounted Infantry (the medal roll for that unit, compiled and signed 18 April 1904, ref WO 100/211 shows an additional clasp entitlement for 'Cape Colony' while serving with that Mounted Infantry unit - however whether that loose clasp was ever subsequently issued is not known)

In 1914, John Buckley, was a 'Reservist'. On the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914, John was embodied from the 'Army Reserve' and recalled to 'The Colours', being posted to 1st Battalion Scottish Rifles (Cameronians), with which battalion he embarked for overseas active service, and is recorded as having first entered theatre of war 'France & Flanders' on 13 September 1914. Whether John was entitled to a dated clasp for the 1914 Star is not known, as although he was undoubtedly in France with his regiment during the qualifying period, the respective medal roll and medal index cards however show no record of a clasp being issued to his next of kin

The body of John Buckley was interred at Bethune Town Cemetery, located in France, about 29km's north of Arras, where he is buried (grave reference IV. H. 34) his grave being 1 of 3010 fallen 'Commonwealth' personnel, commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at Bethune Town Cemetery

John appears not to have married, as after his death his soldiers effects were given to his nominated next-of-kin, his cousin, Mrs Jane Holmes (Ref Army Registers of Soldiers Effects, 1901-1929). Mrs Holmes is also the person who claimed and received the war medals of her deceased cousin. The respective Medal Index Card for this recipient, show that his Great War medals were forwarded to Mrs Holmes, residing at, 565 Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester, England

Condition: About VF

Code: 21881