The Yorkshire Regiment, Local War Memorials

War Memorials Elsewhere, -
Helmingham (Suffolk),
St. Mary's Church

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The First World War Memorial in St. Mary's Church, Helmingham (Suffolk)
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Photo © Copyright Helen Steed and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

The First World War Memorial in the Church of St. Mary, Helmingham, is a black granite plaque bearing the names of 15 men who lost their lives in the war. This memorial is complemented by a Roll of Honour in the same church, in which the names of men who served as well as those who died are commemorated.

Amongst the names of those who died is that of 1 soldier who served with the Yorkshire Regiment.

We are very grateful to Linda Wicks (<jimlin@waitrose.com>) for bringing the attention of the Yorkshire Regiment Remembrance website to this particular memorial.

Private John Buckle, 2572. 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 27 September 1916.
Enlisted Northallerton, Resided Helmingham (Suffolk).
Commemorated on Pier and Face 3 A and 3 D, THIEPVAL MEMORIAL.

Private John Buckle is also commemorated on the Langton-on-Swale War Memorial.
It is rather curious that this soldier is commemorated on war memorials in such different parts of the country.
Little is known about his family history, but a possible explanation is that he originally came from Stockton-on-Tees. In the 1901 Census he is shown as a 15 yr old (bricklayer?) living in the household of John Buckle, father, who came from Bedale.
This would tie in with him being in the 4th Battalion, as his Medal Card showed that he was with the 4th Battalion in France on 18 April 1915, - and would thus have been in the battalion as a Territorial soldier pre-War.
He will have had family in Suffolk, as there are several "John Buckle"names in Suffolk in the 1901 and 1911 Censuses.
It is only supposition, but it is felt that he originally came from Stockton-on-Tees and joined the 4th Battalion courtesy of his father's connection with the area where he enlisted. His family connection with Suffolk had him working / living there at the outbreak of war.

If further information on John Buckle's family history comes to light, the above will be amended.

The Roll of Honour in St. Mary's Church, Helmingham (Suffolk)
Photo © Copyright Helen Steed and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

St. Mary's Church, Helmingham (Suffolk) St. Mary's Church, Helmingham (Suffolk)
Photo © Copyright Helen Steed and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

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