Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Sergeant T. Buck, 20th Hussars and 10th Hussars, late Lancashire Royal Field Artillery Militia, later Second Lieutenant, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Home Guard, who was wounded and awarded a 2nd Division gallantry card for ‘conspicuous bravery in the field’ in October 1914; was Mentioned in Despatches for his gallantry at Oostaverne Wood in the Battle of Messines; and was given a glowing testimonial from the Duke of Gloucester, with whom he had served for 8 years, on his retirement

1914 Star, with clasp (3810 Cpl. T. Buck 20/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (3810 Sjt. T. Buck 20-Hrs.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (538303 Sjt: T. Buck 10-H.), mounted as worn; Defence Medal, this loose; together with the related miniature awards mounted as a complete group of five, light contact marks, very fine (5) £400-500

Thomas Buck was born in Preston, Lancashire, in 1890, and enlisted into the Lancashire Royal Field Artillery Militia there on 2 March 1907. Promoted Wheelright Bombardier on 26 May 1908, he was discharged 'Free' from the Militia on 20 April 1908, on seeking a regular army enlistment with the 20th Hussars. He saw service with the 20th Hussars during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 August 1914, and was present at the Battle of Mons in August 1914; the First Battle of the Marne and the First Battle of the Aisne in September 1914, the First Battle of Ypres in October 1914; and at Messines. Promoted Corporal, he was listed as ‘wounded’ with the 20th Hussars in the War Office Casualty List of 23 November 1914, and was awarded a 2nd Division gallantry card for his ‘conspicuous bravery in the field between Oct. 20 and Nov. 1 1914’, and was subsequently Mentioned in Sir John French’s Despatch (London Gazette 17 February 1915). Repatriated to the U.K. on account of his wounds on 2 November 1914, he saw further action with the British Expeditionary Force from 18 March to 4 June 1918, and was advanced to Squadron Quarter Master Sergeant.

On completion of his services with 20th Hussars, Buck re-attested for service with the 10th Hussars on 1 April 1919, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal per Army Order 357 of 1927. He was discharged from the 10th Hussars on 22 July 1930 on termination of his period of engagement, with the rank of Sergeant, with his conduct noted as 'Exemplary'. He obtained a testimonial from Captain Howard Kerr, Equerry to the Duke of Gloucester, on his retirement in 1930 which noted that ‘His Royal Highness has known Sergeant Buck for the past seven or eight years, and has always found him sober, honest reliable, very willing and a hard worker. Sergeant Buck was Regimental Musketry Instructor for the past few years, a post which also entailed a considerable amount of clerical work.’ He subsequently served in the Home Guard during the Second World War, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Home Guard on 4 April 1945.

Sold together with the recipient’s riband bar, original Hussars shoulder chains, and blazer badge; an original and scarce surviving 2nd Cavalry Division Gallantry Card; two original letters on Buckingham Palace writing paper with testimonial from the Duke of Gloucester; the recipient’s Second War Home Guard Identity Card / Weapons Permit (named to Lieut. T. Buck and dated December 1944); a portrait photograph of the recipient in the uniform of the 10th Hussars, and another photograph of the recipient in uniform; and an original leather bound 10th Royal Hussars regimental journal for Autumn 1950, commemorating the visit of the Duke of Gloucester (which includes a group photo of the 10th Royal Hussars Old Comrades Association Committee 1950, including T. Buck.)