Louis John Buckingham was born on 21st July 1895 in Frizinghall, son of Henry Buckingham and Harriet Julia Pollard and baptised at St Barnabas Church, Heaton on the 18th August 1895. By 1901 the family were living in Park Grove, Bolton, Bradford. Henry Buckingham was a Merchant (tailor) who had been born in Newcastle upon Tyne, as had his wife Harriet and seven of his children. Louis was the first child to be born in Bradford, at Frizinghall. He was followed by two more brothers. Louis received his education at Archbishop Holgate’s School, York and had taken his senior Cambridge Certificate. In 1911 the family were living at 135 Otley Road, Shipley and Henry Buckingham is shown on this census as a Ladies Tenter Tailor. This was a family business with a shop as his daughter Edith is shown as clerk in a tailor’s shop and son Percy as a cutter. Louis was working as a tailor. However on his entry into the army

in 1916 he was employed by Messrs. Kine and Co. Ltd. Of Darley Street, Bradford. Percy, Louis and another brother Edward fought in WW1 but Louis was the only son to lose his life. He travelled to London and on the 26th January 1916 enlisted as Private 6836 at Armoury House, Finsbury, in the Honourable Artillery Company.

His unit was involved in the battle at Ancre between 13-19th November 1916 which brought to an end the Battle of the Somme. It was the final large British attack on the German front line. Louis was wounded and died in either the 9th or 49th Casualty Clearing Station on the 30th November 1916 aged 21 years. These stations used the Contay

British Cemetery for burials from August 1916 until March 1917 and this is where Louis is buried, grave reference VII C6. On enlisting Louis gave his address as Jessamine Lodge, Undercliffe, Bradford. His brother Edward gave the same address stating that it was situate on Roosegate Road, Undercliffe but death records for Louis give his address as 31 Harrogate Road. This address is also given on the death records for Robert Baxandall Constantine. Louis’ Will reads BUCKINGHAM Louis John of Jessamine Lodge, Undercliffe, Bradford, a private in the Honorable Artillery Company died 30th November 1916 in France. Administration (with will) Wakefield to Harriet Julia Buckingham (wife of Henry Buckingham). Effects £922s 11d. The equivalent today is £8000. His family placed a memorial plaque in the Lady Chapel at St Luke’s Church, Eccleshill. Researched and written by Jean Britteon, to whom many thanks.