Private 30487 Harry Augustus Buffham, serving with the 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, was born in 1880 at 12 Station Road, Spalding, Lincolnshire. He was the youngest of 7 children. His parents were Rueben and Ellen Buffham (nee Turner) who were married in 1872.

Harry was residing in 1911 at 3 Collingwood Terrace, North Shields, Northumberland. He was educated at Tynemouth High School.

Harry's profession was a schoolteacher. He attended Sunderland Training College between 1908 and 1910. When he enlisted at Chester-le-Street on the 29th November 1915 he was staying at 6 Glenside Terrace, Pelton Fell, County Durham. He was teaching at the nearby Pelton Fell County School.

Harry was assigned to the 3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. In August 1914 it was at Newcastle-on-Tyne. A depot/training unit, it moved on mobilisation to South Shields where it then remained as part of the Tyne Garrison. His Medical examination was conducted at Gateshead on the 10th February 1916, where it was declared that he had an artificial upper denture. He was 5 feet and 5 1/4 inches (165.2 cm) high and weighed 119lbs (53.97kgs.)

Whilst at South Shields, still with the 3rd Durham Light Infantry he was appointed acting Lance Corporal, [unpaid,] then was paid acting Lance Corporal from the 19/04/1916. Harry was appointed to Acting Corporal on the 30/06/1916. He eventually reached the rank of Acting Lance Sergeant on the 16th October 1916.

On the 17th July 1917, Harry was posted to France, still Acting Lance Sergeant, and disembarked at Boulogne on the 18th July 1917.

On the 1st October 1917, he reported to the 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry.

Amongst his service record papers was a note written by a 2nd Lieutenant Sharp of the 3rd D.L.I., advising the Officer commanding Infantry Records, at York that he had been appointed an unpaid Lance Sergeant on the 16th October 1916.

On the 3rd December 1917, Harry was wounded by gunshot wound in his right hand, he was taken to the 21st Casualty Clearing Station [part of the 64th Brigade in the 21st Infantry Division]. He then was transported to the 16th Field Ambulance, which was part of the 18th Brigade, within the 6th Infantry Division.

Harry finally was taken to the 3rd General Hospital at Le Treport to recover.

He then re-joined from Etaples on the 16th January 1918 and was posted to 'A' Company in the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry on the 5th February 1918.

Harry was killed in action on the 19th July 1918.

In his will which was dated October 1917 it states:- "In the event of my death. I give the whole of my property & effects to my father Mr Rueben Buffham, 3 Collingwood Terrace, North Shields."

He left behind 3 brothers and 3 sisters.

Harry Augustus Buffham is remembered in Teachers who Fell, Teachers who Served, at North Shields on N34.02, N34.40, N34.48, at Tynemouth in T36.14, at Durham on D47.052, D47.141, at Chester-le-Street in C105.35, also Sunderland on S144.099 and at *Pelton Fell on P27.01

* Note the name Buffham is incorrectly spelt on the Memorial P27.01 as Buffman.

The CWGC entry for Lance Corporal Buffham