Lieutenant Thomas Adrian BUCKLAND
7th (Service) Battalion Norfolk Regiment

Date of birth: 29th August 1892
Date of death: 18th October 1915

Died of wounds aged 23
Commemorated on the Loos Memorial Panels 30 and 31
Thomas Adrian Buckland was born at Woollahra, Sydney, New South Wales on the 29th of August 1892 the elder son of Thomas Buckland, a general merchant, of Kengie, Ascot in Berkshire and Ada Lucy (nee Greer) Buckland of Sydney, Australia.

He was educated at Hazelwood School until December 1905 where he was a member of the Cricket XI in 1904 and 1905 and was a member of the Football XI in 1905. The school magazine wrote the following on his 1904 cricket season: - "Has some hitting and defence, but no judgement as to the length of a ball. Has often fielded quite well, but does not go out of his way to reach a wide ball."

They wrote of his 1905 cricket season: - "An improved bat who began well, but got into a run of bad luck and seemed to lose heart towards the end. Avery good field and catch away from the wicket."

They wrote the following on his 1905 football season: - "(Inside right) - Has adapted himself kindly to his altered position; is quite capable of giving and taking a pass, and has made a big advance in marksmanship."

He went on to Eton College where he was in Mr A.E. Conybeare’s House from January 1906 to July 1911. He entered Trinity College Cambridge as a pensioner on the 25th June 1911 where he attained a BA.

Following the outbreak of war he applied for a commission from Shornecliffe on the 24th of September 1914 in an application supported by the Commanding Officer of the 7th Battalion Norfolk Regiment. In his application he wrote that he had been serving as a Private in the 17th (County of London) Battalion (Queen's Westminster Rifles) from the 1st to the 19th of September 1914 but the battalion later stated that they had no record of him.

He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Norfolk Regiment on the 25th of September 1914. He embarked for France with his battalion from Folkestone on board the SS "Invicta" on the 30th of May 1915, landing at Boulogne the following day.

On the 1st of October 1915 the battalion were in trenches at Loos where they were subjected to three days of continuous bombardment by artillery of all calibres which caused severe casualties. Although the battalion was relieved by the 5th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment at 7pm on the night of the 3rd of October they continued to be shelled the following day while on the support line. Thomas Buckland was wounded in the back by shrapnel on the 4th of October but remained at his post.

His father received the following telegram dated the 9th of October 1915: -

"Beg to inform you that Lieut. T.A. Buckland Norfolk Regt. wounded Oct 4th at duty."

On the 13th of October 1915 the 7th Battalion Norfolk Regiment was detailed to attack a position at Loos know as the “Quarries”. Due to heavy fire from the defenders, the bulk of the battalion was unable to gain the enemy trench. Despite this setback, one group of about 60 men on the left flank of the attack under Captain Ottar managed to occupy part of the trench and establish themselves. They were joined by a small group of men under Lieutenant Pollard from the 5th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment and two more companies of their own battalion a little later as part of a relief effort. During the rest of the morning the group managed to capture and consolidate 300 yards of the trench with Lieutenant Pollard being conspicuous for his bravery. Despite being wounded early in the action he threw a stream of hand grenades at the advancing enemy, until he was unable to stand unsupported. He propped himself against the side of the trench directing his men before he was killed. Meanwhile the 7th Battalion Suffolk Regiment had forced their way into the other end of the trench and, after making some progress, were pushed back losing most of their force until a bombing party of the 7th Norfolks assisted them in carrying the position. By the end of the day the German trench system had fallen but the battalion had suffered casualties of three officers killed with one died of wounds and seven wounded with sixty six other ranks killed with one hundred and ninety six wounded and one hundred and sixty missing. Thomas Buckland was reported as wounded and missing during the attack.

A report into the circumstances of his death was contained in a letter dated the 28th of November 1915: -

"After the attack on 13th October Lieut. Buckland was reported wounded and missing. On the 19th it was reported that 2 men of the 9th Essex Regiment went out in front and found Lt Buckland who was badly wounded and very weak. One of these men was shot and then managed to crawl back. It was intended to send another party out on the night of the 19th/20th Oct. to bring Lt Buckland in but the Germans counterattacked that night, and after things were quiet the party went out and found Lt Buckland dead; apparently he had been shot again."

Further information is contained in Thomas Buckland's service records: -

"This officer was lying wounded in a shell hole in front of our trenches. On the approach of 2 stretcher bearers rifle fire was opened by enemy killing 1 stretcher bearer and the officer."

His father received the following telegram dated the17th of October 1915:-

"Regret to inform you that Lt T.A. Buckland 7th Norfolk Regt. was wounded and missing between 13/15th Oct."

Thomas Buckland was reported in the Times of 26th of October as having been wounded and missing in this attack but as having died a few days later.

His father received a final telegram dated the 2nd of November 1915: -

"Deeply regret to inform you D.A.G. Base reports O.C. 7th Norfolks now states Lieut. T.A. Buckland was killed in action. Lord Kitchener expresses his sympathy."

A report in the Times of the 11th of November 1915 confirmed that he had died.

He was mentioned in Field Marshall Sir John French's despatches of the 30th of November 1915 for "gallant and distinguished service in the field".

He is commemorated on the war memorial at Trinity College, Cambridge, on the memorial at Eton College and on the Australian War Memorial.

Went on to Eton College

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