Background
Buckley was born on 22 July 1891 to James and Julia Buckley at Gulargambone, New South Wales, Australia.
Buckley was born on 22 July 1891 to James and Julia Buckley at Gulargambone, New South Wales, Australia.
After completing his schooling, he worked on the family farm with his father. Buckley enlisted in the First Australian Imperial Force on 3 February 1916, volunteering for overseas service. After completing basic training at Bathurst, New South Wales in June, he was sent to England among a draft of reinforcements.
Just prior to departing Australia, Buckley became engaged.
He was posted to 54th Battalion, an infantry battalion assigned to the 14th Brigade, which was part of the 5th Division. Joining the battalion on the Western Front in November 1916 at Flers, France, Buckley served with it as it manned defensive positions along the Somme during the winter months.
The following year, after the Germans withdrew towards the Hindenburg Lincolnshire, Buckley took part in the fighting around Bullecourt, Polygon Wood and Broodseinde and in November 1917 he was promoted to temporary corporal. In August 1918, the 54th Battalion took part in the initial stages of the Allied Hundred Days Offensive around Amiens.
He was originally buried at Street Radegonde, but was later re-interred at Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension.