MARCH 1915: VICTORIA CROSS FOR LEICESTERSHIRE HERO
PRIVATE WILLIAM BUCKINGHAM RECEIVES HIGHEST MILITARY HONOUR
On March 10th and 12th 1915, Private William Buckingham, serving with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, demonstrated “conspicuous acts of bravery and devotion to duty” in rescuing and rendering aid to the wounded while exposed to heavy fire in France. For this, he was awarded the highest military honour, the Victoria Cross.
His achievement was all the more remarkable given his start in life. Private William Buckingham came from a troubled background, and aged only three, was admitted to Bedford Union Workhouse. His father had died and his mother, who later moved to Leicester, was unable to look after him, and William was brought up in care in Countesthorpe Cottage Homes. In 1901, aged just 15, he enlisted with the Leicesters and served in India and Egypt before going to France. He received his VC from King George V at Buckingham Palace on 4th June 1915. He was killed in action in September 1916.
Medals for men on our Roll of Honour
Although Private Buckingham is not commemorated on the Loughborough Carillon (he has a memorial in St Andrew’s Church Countesthorpe), our Roll of Honour includes many other servicemen who earned prestigious medals for gallantry.
Following the VC in precedence comes the Distinguished Service Order, which was awarded to Loughborough-born Major Henry Arthur Davis of the Army Service Corps, and to Colonel William Shirley Northcote Toller of 1/5th Leicestershire Regiment. He lived in and around Loughborough after his marriage.
The Military Cross was introduced in 1914 originally as a decoration for gallantry by officers and warrant officers in the British Army, the Indian Army or the Colonial Forces. (Other ranks got the Military Medal). Carillon men with the prestigious MC appendage to their name are Captain Arnold Montague Barrowcliff of the 5th Leicesters, who was born in Loughborough; Major Herbert Luis Beardsley, of the 8th Leicesters, son of a Loughborough solicitor; Lieutenant Harry Bull of the 1st Leicesters; Lieutenant Frederick Burt who had served in the Leicestershire Yeomanry; and Captain (Brigade Major) James Frederick Lorimer Fison who had many family connections in Loughborough. Also awarded the MC were Captain Walter Stanley Gimson, who lived in Loughborough before enlisting, Company Sergeant Major Robert Hancock of the 9th Leicesters, and Second Lieutenant William Jelley, who married and lived in Loughborough.
Awards for bravery and duty
The Carillon includes many more men who achieved awards either in service or posthumously. You can see the full list here.
The collection in our care includes many medals, donated by people who treasured them in memory of their family members. Every man who served in WW1 was recognised with a medal; they include the 1914 Star, the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. The Silver War Badge was also given to those who had been invalided out of the services, partly to stop sanctimonious individuals accusing them of shirking their duty.
Whether exhibiting ‘conspicuous acts of bravery’ or simply carrying out their duties to the best of their abilities under exacting circumstances, all the men commemorated on the Carillon earned their medals and made the ultimate sacrifice.
