| Surname: | Buckland |
| Initials: | W A |
| Rank: | Cpl A/SSM |
| Army Number: | 700 |
| Notes: | MMP. From Redhill, Surrey. Awarded the 1915 Star, Victory and War Medals. First served abroad (3) Egypt, 22/3/1915. 7/4/1897 he enlisted as a Pte 1 Dragoon Guards, No. 4082, born Redhill, Surrey, occupation Valet, age 19.8 years, address: father, 56 Menson Road, Redhill, Surrey. 30/3/1904 transferred to 3 Dragoon Guards, No. 5467, transferred 26/11/1908, 26/11/08 transferred to MMP, 20/3/1915 promoted Cpl, later acting SSM, WOII. Served Home 7/4/1897 to 30/10/1899, South Africa 31/10/1899 to 4/8/1900, Home 5/8/1900 to 25/9/1902, Home 26/9/1902 to 23/2/1911, Egypt 24/2/1911 to 30/11/1920, Home 1/12/1920, to 29/12/1920. He was awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal under Army Order 209 of 10/1915 shown as 5/8/1914 on medal roll page B867. Post 1920 No. 7681032. He died in 1921 and is buried in St Mary's Cemetery, Reigate in plot 71177. Info from Pension Index Card: Buckland, William Alfred, MMP, 7681032, 29/12/1920, SFJ.5750, 56 Monson Road, Redhill, Surrey, Service Pension, Stamp: Ad 23/12/19 at 29/05 from 30, 12/1920, Chelsea No. 30636/F, received 22/12/1920, card over stamped FILE DESTROYED, date 23/101928, William Alfred Buckland. Extract from the Sunday Post, 14/8/1921. Fight With A Madman. A desperate fight with a madman who defied four policemen and a number of civilians for two hour, was described at an inquest at Redhill. William Alfred Buckland, age forty five, a pensioned sergeant major, who lived with his mother, lost his reason. The police were called, and Police Inspector Hood, with a sergeant and two constables, went to the house. Sergeant Bacon stated that Buckland was inside with a steel spike four feet long. "He raved at us and threatened us." said the sergeant, "and after we tried for two hours to induce him to open the door he allowed his sister to enter. He then put his back to the wall and glared at the police. "I suddenly leaped on the madman. I received a terrific blow on the mouth, and inspector hood's finger was broken in the struggle. Buckland was overpowered eventually and taken away. It was found that death was caused by exhaustion, following acute delerium and fatty degeneration of the heart. Extract from the Surrey Mirror, 12/8/1921. Struggle With A Madman. Midnight Scene At Redhill. A sad story of the end of a Redhill man who lost his reason and was taken to Netherne Asylum, where he died, was told at an inquest conducted on Wednesday by Mr. F J Nightingale, at the Institution. The deceased was William Alfred Buckland, age 45, living with his sister, Mrs Allcorn at Monson Road Redhill, and was an Army pensioner. He was a native of Redhill, and before joining the Army twenty four years ago was a valet. He served in the Egyptian Campaign, the Boer War, and the Great War, and retired six months ago with the rank of Sergt.-Major in the Military Police, with a well earned pension. He was the possessor of seven medals. Jessie Allcorn, the sister, who gave evidence of identification, stated on Thursday, the 28th inst, her brother complained of a headache. Later he complained of his throat, and on the 39th Dr Crichton ws sent for. he could not sleep and got worse. On Tuesday last week he was light-headed and on Wednesday he was seen again by the doctor. in the evening he was taken to the Guardian Institution by the Police and later removed to the Netherne. Police-Sergt. Bacon said on Wednesday about 10pm he received information at the Police Station that a man had gone mad and that he was running about Linkfield Lane, Witness went to Linkfield Lane and heard that Buckland had returned to his home, 56, Monson road. He found the deceased there, and the door locked. He could see him in one of the rooms downstairs, his aged mother being upstairs, Witness had with him other officers and for two hours he tried to persuade Buckland to open the door. he had a weapon in his hand four feet long with a steel spike at the end of it, with which he threatened to brain the first man who entered the house. The only garments he had on were a pair of running shorts and a jersey. He was not wearing any boots. After a long time he persuaded the deceased to open the door and allow his sister to come in and rest. Deceased then placed himself against the wall and raved at witness. He parleyed with him for a time and getting within a few feet of him he pounced on the weapon. Buckland struck him a terrific blow on the jaw and there was a struggle. Inspector Hood had his finger broken. The Coroner: You had a struggle. Inspector hood had his finger broken. The Coroner: You had a struggle? - Yes, he was a powerful man and having little clothing on it was difficult to take hold of him. Continuing, witness said they got him to the Guardians' Institution, where he was placed in the padded room and given a sleeping draught by the doctor. In the struggle they forced him on to the head of a couch, where they secured him. The Coroner: There was a big struggle going on? - Yes, and it is not surprising he had a number of bruises on the trunk and limbs? - No. And it is not surprising he had a number of bruises on the trunk and limbs? - No. Do you know anything about a dislocation of a toe? - No. He was running about without any shoes on. From what you say you were two hours with him and I take it there was no more violence used than was necessary?- I think his relatives will bear out what I say. I think they were pleased with the way we treated him. Mrs Allcorn: Oh. yes; we are satisfied. Man With Abnormal Ribs. Charles Allcorn, of Monson road who is also related to the deceased, said he saw what happened on Wednesday night. Before the police came deceased struggled with his sister. The police did the best they could for deceased and showed great patience. The Coroner: I may take it there was no more violence used than was necessary:- That is so. I am sure of that. Mr J H Marsh, relieving officer, said he removed deceased to Netherne under a Magistrates order on Friday. He was delirious, noisy and resistive. With the assistance of PC Miles and two officers of the Guardians' Institution, deceased was placed in the motor ambulance and for his own protection and the protection of others he was handcuffed. Alfred She attendant at Netherne said Buckland had been very violent and injections were given. There was no mechanical restraint used at all. Dr. J Calving Lister, assistant medical officer at the Institution said he saw deceased on his admission. Deceased was handcuffed and he had him removed immediately to the bathroom for examination. He became very violent, clutching at witness and the attendants. He was transferred to a bed and still being very violent was given a sedative which quietened him. When he got over it he was again violent. He was only quiet after a sedative, being violent half an hour before he died. He made a post-mortem and found bruises on the arms and chest which might have been caused in the struggle. They were superficial bruises and some of them were pretty extensive. He did not find any fractured ribs, but the ninth and tenth ribs, instead of being attached to the chest-bone, were free. They were floating ribs. The eleventh and twelfth were quite abnormal ribs. The bruising was what might have been expected after the struggle. The Coroner: In your opinion had the injuries anything to do with death:- Nothing. The cause of death was exhaustion due to acute delirium and fatty degeneration of the heart. The Coroner said certain injuries on the body were discovered, but they were such injuries that might have bee expected after the struggle. The sister and brother in law were satisfied that the police were patient and all they did was to restrain him in such a manner as was warranted. The same regards applied to the attendants at the Guardians Institution and the attendants in Netherne. He returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | Meritorious Service Medal (London Gazette: 31684 Page: 15443 Dec. 12, 1919) |
| Citation: | Egypt. Devotion to duty. Cpl (A/SSM). |
| Decoration: | Queen's South Africa Medal (London Gazette: WO 100/114 Page: 12 April 1, 1901) |
| Citation: | Clasps: Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Tugela Heights awarded as Pte. 1 Dragoon Guards, No. 4082. |
| Decoration: | King's South Africa Medal (London Gazette: WO 100/302 Page: 283 Oct. 21, 1902) |
| Citation: | Clasps: South Africa 1901 & South Africa 1902, awarded as Pte, 1 Dragoon Guards, No. 4082. |