Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Great War M.M. awarded to Able Seaman J. Buckingham, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, late York & Lancaster Regiment, one of “Kitchener’s Marines” and a member of Anson Battalion, Royal Naval Division, who, having served in Gallipoli, was wounded in France in September 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (KP/477 A.B. J. Buckingham, Anson Bn., R.N.V.R.), refixed suspension with flattened claw, severe edge bruise and polished, thus fine or better £300-350

M.M. London Gazette 11 February 1919.

James Henry Buckingham was born in Darfield, South Yorkshire in April 1888 and was employed as a miner at Brierley Colliery, Hemsworth at the time of his enlistment in the York & Lancaster Regiment in September 1914.

He subsequently transferred to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as one of Barnsley’s “Kitchener’s Marines” at Crystal Palace and was posted to Anson Battalion, Royal Naval Division. Embarked for service in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in March 1915, he saw action in Gallipoli prior to being invalided home in May 1916, suffering from Pyrexia fever.

Buckingham saw further action in France in the period January 1917 to September 1918, and was evacuated home in the latter month, suffering from a gunshot wound in his left leg. He was demobilised that December and, as per his service record, his M.M. was forwarded to the Secretary of the Yorkshire Miners Association.

On the renewal of hostilities in September 1939, Buckingham enlisted in the 6th (H.D.) Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and he was similarly employed at the time of his death in April 1940, aged 51 years. He was buried in Brierley (Grimethorpe) Cemetery; sold with copied service record and other research.