Name
George Barclay Buxton
October 1892
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/07/1917
24 years
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Second Lieutenant
Royal Flying Corps
No. 1 Squadron
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS FLYING SERVICES MEMORIAL
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield In Memoriam Book, Stanstead Abbotts Memorial, Ponsbourne St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Newgate Street, Ponsbourne St Mary's Church Memorial, Newgate Street, Repton School War Memorial, Derbyshire
Pre War
George Barclay Buxton was born in Japan in October 1892, son of the Rev Barclay Fowler Buxton (B 1861 in Leytonstone, Essex) and Margaret M. A. Buxton (nee Railton) (B 1862 in London). His father was serving as a missionary in Japan at the time. He returned to England via New York on the SS Majestic in August 1898, landing in Liverpool with his parents, brothers Murray and Alfred. He was educated at St Andrews School, Southborough and Repton School, Derbyshire.
In 1911 he lived at Widbury House, Ware, Herts. – a large house with 18 rooms - with his parents, brothers Murry, Alfred and sister Rachel. George was working as a bank clerk. The household also had five servants living in. His father was a Clergyman and George is working as a bank clerk. From the census it appears that George and another brother were born in Japan. It also shows that the Misses Rachel Louisa and Ethel Mary Buxton, aged 65 & 46 respectively were living at Ponsbourne Manor with two great nephews (not George) plus 8 servants. Ponsbourne Manor had 24 rooms
In 1912 he left England and went to Kenya where he worked as Assistant Manager at the East Africa Industries estate in Maseno, British East Africa.
In 1914 George decided to become a missionary and join his brother Alfred in the Belgian Congo but the war began before he could leave.
Wartime Service
As he was in Africa when war broke out he volunteered joining the Kings African Rifles as a Scout. Took part in a number of missions between August and November 1914, when regular troops arrived and took over from the volunteers.
In July 1915, he returned to England, and underwent 2 months Officer Training. Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in 5th Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment. Appointed ADC to Divisional Commander, Major-General Sir Stuart Hare, spent 9 months on staff duties, then applied for transfer to Royal Flying Corps.
Posted to flying school in Abbassia, Egypt in March 1917, where he completed a course in flying theory. Then posted to Ismalia for flying training, returned to England in May 1917, after training in Lincolnshire and at the aerial gunnery school in Turnberry, he qualified as a pilot. Posted to No. 1 Squadron at Bailleul in France. On one of his early patrols his aircraft was full of bullet holes when he returned to base but George was not wounded. Reported missing on July 28th 1917, after he was last seen chasing 4 German aircraft, having already shot down another. His body was never recovered; he is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial, Arras France.
The National Probate Calendar 1861-1941, records: “Buxton, George Barclay of Ponsbourne Manor House near Hertford, Hertfordshire, Second Lieutenant 5th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 28th July 1917, at or near Passchendale in Flanders on active service. Administration (with will) London 6th March to Reverend Barclay Fowell Buxton clerk. Effects £761.15s.1d.”
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of October 1917 recorded: “Ponsbourne News – It is with deep regret that many heard of the death of Mr George Buxton last month. Mr Buxton, who held a commission in the Royal Flying Corp. was the nephew of the Misses Buxton and was known to many in Ponsbourne. Much sympathy is felt to his parents and relatives “Oh true brave heart, god bless thee, wheresoe’er in God’s great universe thou art today”
Awarded the Victory medal, British War Medal, 1915 Star.
Additional Information
There are two entries in the soldiers effects register one for £108-7s-0d, and the other for £33-16s-0d, the recipient is not given. His two elder brothers also served and both were awarded the Military Cross. Both brothers were killed in WW2 in an air raid in London.
There are two entries in the soldiers effects register one for £108-7s-0d, and the other for £33-16s-0d, the recipient is not given. His two elder brothers also served and both were awarded the Military Cross. Both brothers were killed in WW2 in an air raid in London.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs M. Buxton (Mother) of Sherborne House, Hoddesdon received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
See letter below
Nov 9 20 Sherborne House
Hoddesdon
Dear Mr Armstrong
We much appreciate the Album presented by the Hatfield Peace
Committee and shall value the one ? very much. Please convey
our thanks to them.
Yours truly
Margaret Buxton
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Terry Collins, Stuart Osborne, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
