NER Railway Magazine 1918 page 62

Medal Index Card

Chester Chronicle September 1921

Chester-le-Street Cemetery Family Headstone

York North East Railway War Memorial

Harry Bucknell, the only son was born in May 1890 at Rothwell, Yorks, to Frederick Bucknell, [born 1859 Louth, Lincolnshire, died September 21st 1921], Loco Engine Driver, and his wife Rebeka, [born 1861 Butterworth, Lincolnshire, died 12th June 1928, age 67]. He was baptised on the 25th May 1890 at the Holy Trinity Church at Rothwell.

In 1894, they all moved to Pelton Fell, residing at Burnt House.

Harry Bailey Bucknell was employed by the North Eastern Railway as a platform porter at Chester-le-Street railway station.

By 1911, he was residing with his parents now at 23, Victor Street, Chester-le-Street.

Harry Bucknell Bailey, [as he was called in 1911], married 2nd September 1916 at the Parish Church at Birtley, Jane Stock.

Harry and his wife were now residing at 7, Louisa Terrace, Chester-le-Street. They had two children, George Frederick James born 15th December 1916, and Rebecca born 15th January 1918.

He attested at Chester-le-Street 7th January 1916, and enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne on the 7th August 1917. He was 26 years and 8 months when he attested and his height was 5 feet 2 and a half inch. He also had scarred tissue damage to his knees, and damage to his upper dentures.

He was posted to 'B' Company, 4th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, then based at Seaham Harbour.

4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion. August 1914 they were at Barnard Castle. A depot/training unit, it moved on mobilisation to the Tyne defences. Moved in December to Killingworth, went to Forest Hall in January 1915 and finally to Seaham Harbour in September 1915, where it then remained as part of the Tyne Garrison.

On the 26th August 1917, he overstayed his pass from midnight till 6am on the 27th August, he was confined to barracks for 10 days, and forfeited one day's pay.

Then on the 26th December he again overstayed his pass from 12 midnight, and remaining absent till 9am 27th December, when under orders for active service. Forfeited 1 day's pay.

On the 29th December 1917, breaking away from his billet, whilst under orders for embarkation for active service. This time forfeited three days' pay.

Whilst at Seaham he was in Seaham Infirmary for 18 days, 15th October to the 2nd of November 1917, with an abscess on his foot.

Harry was originally in the 22nd (Service) Battalion Durham Light Infantry, (3rd County Pioneer), then was transferred into the 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Finally posted to the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry on the 3rd February 1918.

15th (Service) Battalion. Formed at Newcastle in September 1914 as part of K3 and came under orders of 64th Brigade in 21st Division. Moved to Halton Park, going on to billets in Maidenhead in December 1914 and then back to Halton Park in April 1915. Finally moved to Witley in July. 11th September 1915, they landed at Boulogne.

On the 21st March 1918, the 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry were in reserve at Lieramont, and were there since the beginning of the month.

At 5.25am they moved forward to a position of readiness south of Heudicourt and at noon were ordered to occupy the 'Brown' Line in front of that village. To do so they had to pass through a cloud of gas and the new position was shelled fiercely. Serious news came during the afternoon. The enemy had broken the left of the divisional front and the 'Yellow' line from a point south of Chapel Hill-a commanding spur, over which an the road from Heudicourt to Vikers-Guislain to some distance south of the Heudicourt-Peiziere ralway, was in his hands.

The Fifteenth, ordered to counter-attack and recover the 'Yellow' Line. south of the Heudicourt-Vaucelette Farm road, assembled for this purpose about the cross-roads at Railton-half a mile east of Heudicourt-before 7.15 p.m. Thirty minutes later the assault was delivered in the face of heavy rifle and machine-gun fire. The Durhams persevered in spite of considerable losses.

They reached the trenches and drove out the grey infantry from both the front, and support lines.

Harry Bailey Bucknell's body was missing.

Later that year about the 13th December 1918, a letter arrived from the No 1, Infantry Records Office at York to Harry's wife, advising that his identity disc had been sent in on the 5th May 1918 by a Reserve Infantry Regiment to the War Office. The War office advised that they were requesting more information to obtain more particulars.

Meanwhile the War Office had received a German official list of Dead, from Geneva, which included Harry's name. So a conclusion was made by the War Office that he was killed on the 21st March 1918.

His wife Jane was awarded a pension of 25s and 5d starting from the 2nd December 1918. She also received a War Gratuity of £5.00.

Harry's mother died leaving a will of £2291 8s 11d.

Harry Bucknell is remembered at Chester-le-Street on C105.01 C105.12, C105.15, C105.31 and C105.40, at Durham in D47.013a, page 54, and on the North Eastern Railway Memorial at York

Note on C105.31 Osborne Club Memorial he is named as Harry Bailey.

Chester-le-Street Heritage Group
4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry Battalion

The CWGC entry for Private Bucknell