Rukin and Nell
The Clock
Inscription
Ian Murray has submitted the following:-
Thomas Rukin Buckham, known as Rukin (his mother’s maiden name), was born in Lanchester in October 1889 and was baptised on 24th October 1889 at Lanchester Wesleyan Methodist Church. His mother, Margaret, was born in Blackhill while his father, John, was born in Lanchester. In fact, the Buckham family had lived in and around the village for many years. In the 1841 Census, Rukin’s great grandparents, Robert and Elizabeth Buckham, lived at Bar Gate, just outside Lanchester, where Robert was a Cartwright. By 1851 Robert had died and Elizabeth, still at Bar Gate, gave her occupation as Joiner employing 3 men. By 1861 she was living at Lanchester Mill and was a Timber Merchant. Rukin’s grandfather continued the business, living at The Villa in 1881 and Alderdene House in 1901.
In 1891, Rukin’s parents lived in Front Street, Lanchester where his father was a farmer. In 1901 they were living at The Mill and by 1911 were in Prospect Terrace. Rukin was aged 21 and was a joiner, most likely in his grandfather’s business.
Rukin met, and fell in love with, Marion Eleanor (Nell) Gowlett who lived in Park House Cottage, Lanchester, where her father was Coachman to Doctor John Wilson of Park House.
Rukin enlisted in Durham and served in The Royal Field Artillery rising to the rank of Serjeant. On 23rd December 1915, Rukin and Nell were married in Lanchester Wesleyan Methodist Chapel while Rukin was on leave. They had only four days together before his leave ended.
He was killed in action on the 20th July 1916 and is buried at Quarry Cemetery, Montauban.
The Stanley News 10/08/1916 reports:-
Sergt. Thos. R. Buckham, R.F.A. killed in action on 20 July was the second son of Mr and Mrs John Buckham Allerdene, Lanchester and husband of Mrs M. Buckham of Lothian House, Lanchester to whom he was married a few months ago.
The Stanley News 30/11/1916 reports:-
Sergt. T.R. Buckham of Lanchester was killed at his post some months ago. "Tom" as we all called him, played cricket for the Lanchester, Swalwell and Langley Park clubs. He was an express bowler and captured heaps of wickets in the NW Durham league, besides coming off occasionally with a big score. One of the most chummy and companionable of men, his death is deeply deplored by a wide circle of cricketing friends.
As well as his service medals, Rukin was awarded the Military Medal. The award was published in the London Gazette on 19th February 1917.
The Stanley News 06/12/1917 reports:-
Lanchester Presentations
A successful meeting and concert organised by the Lanchester Heroes Welcome Home Fund took place in the Co-operative Hall, when Lieut. Gray, R.D.C., of Durham, who presided made presentations in respect to three winners of Military Medals – Sergt. Thomas Buckham, R.F.A. (since killed), Pte. Henderson Brankston, D.L.I. (also since killed) and Lance Corpl. Thomas Thompson R.E. A clock was handed to Mrs Buckham, wife of Sergt. Buckham and also to the mother of Pte. Brankston; while Lance Corpl. Thompson (who is home on leave) was given a bracelet for his sister.
Rukin’s Commonwealth War Grave Record gives his wife’s address as Lothian House, Lanchester. This is on Durham Road. In 1922, Nell married William Penny of Langley Park.
In 1906, Rukin’s aunt, Elizabeth Annie Buckham married Dr. John Wilson a Medical Practitioner in Burnhope, (a different person to the Dr John Wilson mentioned earlier). He served as a Doctor in the Royal Army Medical Corps in Palestine and died on 30th December 1918 and is buried in Deir-El-Belah Cemetery.
Thomas Buckham, (Rukin’s uncle), was also a medical practitioner. He lived in Linden Lodge in Lanchester. He is one of several of the Buckham family whose graves are in All Saints Churchyard.
Thomas Rukin Buckham is remembered at Lanchester on L62.01 L62.02 and L62.04
