William Buckingham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Buckingham
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Private William Buckingham
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| Born | February 1886 Bedford, England |
| Died | 5 September 1916 (aged 30) Thiepval, France |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1901–1916 † |
| Rank | Private |
| Service number | 6276 |
| Unit | Leicestershire Regiment |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
William Buckingham was a brave English soldier. He was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC), which is the highest and most important award for courage in battle for British and Commonwealth soldiers. He earned this medal during the First World War for his actions in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915. Sadly, he died in battle the next year at Thiepval, France.
Contents
William Buckingham's Early Life
William Buckingham was born in February 1886 in Bedford, England. He was the oldest child of William and Annie Billington. When he was two years old, his father passed away. His mother later remarried Thomas Buckingham in 1891.
A few years later, when William was six, he and his brother went to live at the Countesthorpe Cottage Homes. This was a place near Leicester that cared for children. William spent most of his childhood there.
Joining the Army
William Buckingham joined the British Army in November 1901. He was almost 16 years old at the time. He became part of the 2nd Battalion of The Leicestershire Regiment.
With his regiment, he served in different places. He was stationed on the island of Guernsey and also in British India.
Fighting in the First World War
When the First World War began, William Buckingham was still in India. His battalion was sent to the Western Front, which was the main battle area in Europe. He fought in a battle called the Defence of Givenchy. His bravery was noticed by his commander, Lieutenant General James Willcocks.
The Battle of Neuve Chapelle
In March 1915, William's division was chosen to fight in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. The plan was to attack the German lines and create a gap for cavalry (soldiers on horseback) to move through. William's battalion successfully captured a part of the German trenches.
For the next two days, his battalion bravely fought off German counterattacks. During this intense fighting, William Buckingham showed incredible courage. He went out many times to rescue and help wounded soldiers, even while under heavy enemy fire.
Awarded the Victoria Cross
Because of his amazing bravery, William Buckingham was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC). This medal was created in 1856 and is the highest award a soldier in the British Empire can receive for courage.
The official statement about his award said:
For conspicuous acts of bravery and devotion to duty in rescuing and rendering aid to the wounded whilst exposed to heavy fire, especially at Neuve-Chapelle on 10th and 12th March 1915.
William was hurt in the chest during the battle and sent back to England to recover. He didn't even know he had won the VC until a friend showed him a newspaper article about it!
King George V personally gave him the Victoria Cross on June 4, 1915, at Buckingham Palace. The people who cared for him at the Countesthorpe Cottage Homes were there to see him receive the award. Later, it was found that his mother was still alive, as his stepfather had left the family years before. His hometown of Leicester was very proud of him and gave him money as a gift.
Return to Duty and Final Battle
Instead of going straight back to his unit, William helped with recruitment efforts for the war. He stayed in England until April 1916. Then, he joined the 1st Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment.
He was promoted to acting corporal for a short time, but he asked to go back to his previous rank of private. Sadly, William Buckingham was killed in action at Thiepval on September 15, 1916. This was during the later parts of the Battle of the Somme.
William Buckingham has no known grave. His name is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, which honors soldiers who died in the Somme battles and have no known burial place.
William Buckingham's Medals
William Buckingham's medals included the Victoria Cross, the 1914 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. These medals were kept safe by the Countesthorpe Cottage Homes until 1958, when the facility closed.
After that, the medals were moved to the care of the Child Welfare Department in Leicester. Since 1966, William Buckingham's medals have been on display at the Royal Leicestershire Regiment Museum Collection, which is located in the Newarke Houses Museum in Leicester.
Images for kids
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A newspaper drawing of William Buckingham
See also
- Robert Gee VC, who also passed through the Countesthorpe Cottage Homes
