Name
William Buck
25th November 1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/09/1917
22 years
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
801071
Royal Field Artillery
295th Brigade.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MENDINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY
VI. C. 7.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
WE SADLEY MISS HIM EVERY YEAR BUT HE IS SAFE IN HIS HEAVENLY HOME.
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book
Pre War
William Buck was born in Hatfield, Herts on 25th November 1895, son of Jack Buck (a Brewery Engine Driver) (B 1859 in Northill, Beds) and Bessie Buck (nee Hollingsworth) (B 1858 in Bennington, Herts). One of eleven children four of which died. He was Baptised in Hatfield on 23rd February 1896. William attended Hatfield C of E School from November 1898 to May 1902 when he transferred to the Hatfield National School (later St Audrey's) leaving to start work in February 1910.
1901 Census records William (Who is named Billie on the census) aged 5, living with his parents, 2 brothers and 4 sisters at 2 Brewery Cottages, North Road, Hatfield. His father was working as a stationary engine driver at the brewery.
1911 Census records William aged 15, working as Temperance Hotel Porter, living with his parents, 2 brothers and 4 sisters, his eldest sister Lucy and her husband George Garland were also living with them in Brewery Cottages, North Road, Hatfield.
Officially recorded living in Hatfield when he enlisted in Hertford.
1911 Census records William aged 15, working as Temperance Hotel Porter, living with his parents, 2 brothers and 4 sisters, his eldest sister Lucy and her husband George Garland were also living with them in Brewery Cottages, North Road, Hatfield.
Wartime Service
William enlisted in the County Town of Hertford, Herts., becoming Gunner No. 801071 in the Royal Field Artillery with the Service, it is possible he enlisted with Charles William Bray as they have consecutive numbers Charles's being 801070.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of December 1915, in the 18th list of men mobilised from Hatfield, recorded: “William Buck – Brewery Cottages – Veterinary Corp.”. then on November 1917: “Very much sympathy felt for Mr and Mrs Buck, Brewery Cottages in the loss of their son William. The following has been received by them from the front....”You may have already heard from the War Office about your son, Gunner W. Buck, R.F.A. He was brought to the clearing station very badly gassed and despite all our efforts passed to his rest in a short time. He gave his life for his country and I laid him to rest in our little cemetery here. I am sorry to say he was too ill to send any messages. You will be glad to know that photographs of his grave can be obtained from the Director of Graves Registration, War Office, Winchester House, St James Square.
Yours Truly G. M. Wheeler, Chaplain.
His Captain writes the following:- “His loss is deeply felt by all the officers and men of the battery (B. Battery, 295th Brigade, R.F.A.) as he was a very good gunner, always willing and cheerful, and I trust their deepest sympathy may help you to bear your great bereavement.”
The Herts. Advertiser of 20th October 1917: “Gunner William Buck. Hatfield Soldier dies after Wounds and Gas Poison. Mr and Mrs Jack Buck North Road, Hatfield have received the sad news that their third and youngest son, Gunner William Buck Royal Field Artillery aged 22 was wounded and gassed on September 29th and that he died from the effects of gas poison on the following day. Gunner Buck who formerly worked at the Hatfield Brewery, where his father is also employed had bee in France about 7 months. He was born at Hatfield and was educated at Hatfield Church of England School. Mr William Hollingsworth, who is employed at the Peahen Hotel, St Albans is an uncle of the deceased. Mr and Mrs Buck’s second son, Pte Bert Buck (Survived) A V C is with the Forces in Egypt.
Capt. Halcomb has written to the parents about Pte Wm Buck’s death as follows:-
His loss is deeply felt by all the officers and men of this Battery as he was a very good gunner, always willing and cheerful and I trust their deepest sympathy may help you to bear your great bereavement.
Rev. G M Wheeler, Church of England chaplain, has written:
He was brought into this clearing station very badly gassed and, despite all our efforts, passed to his rest in a very short time. He gave his life for his country and I laid him to rest in our little cemetery here …..I am sorry to say that he was too ill to send any message. You may be glad to know that photographs of his grave can be obtained from the Director of Grave Registration, War Office, Winchester House, St James’ Square, London SW1.”
Awarded the Victory Medal & British War Medal.
Additional Information
The value of his effects were £7-14s-08d, Pay Owing and £9, War Gratuity, went to his mother Bessie Buck.
His father, J. Buck of North Road, Hatfield Herts.x, ordered his headstone inscription: " WE SADLEY MISS HIM EVERY YEAR BUT HE IS SAFE IN HIS HEAVENLY HOME".
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Buck (Mother) of Brewery Cottages, Hatfield received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
