Alexander Henry Buckley VC (22 July, 1891 – 2 September 1918) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was 27 years old, and a Temporary Corporal in the 54th Battalion (N.S.W.), Australian Imperial Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 1 and 2 September 1918 at Peronne, France, Corporal Buckley, with one other man, rushed an enemy machine gun nest, shooting four of the enemy and capturing 22. Later, on reaching a moat, it was found that another machine gun nest commanded the only available footbridge. Corporal Buckley tried to cross the bridge and rush the position, but was killed in the attempt. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial (Canberra, Australia).
References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
