Serjeant Frederick Sizmur Buckland

Frederick Sizmur Buckland was born in Tooting on 16 June 1893. One month later he was baptised at St. Nicholas Church in the parish of Tooting Graveney, while his family were living in Vant Road, Tooting. Frederick’s mother Jemima Jane, and his father Bertie Edward were the head of a large family. In 1901 the family were living at 52 Huntspill Street, Summerstown. Father Bertie was employed as a Silversmith, and his job was described as a gold and silver embosser, designer and modeller. The children were Eugenia, Francis, Clifford, Elsie, Audrey, baby Donald, and seven year old Frederick.

By 1911 the family had moved to a six roomed house in 44 Wimbledon Road, Tooting. The family needed a large house as Madge 5, Winifred 4 and Geoffrey aged 2 months had joined the household. Unfortunately one of Jemima’s children had died in infancy. Frederick was now 17 and employed as an Electrician/Storekeeper.

When Frederick volunteered early on in the War, the family had moved again to 75 Marlborough Road, Colliers Wood where they would remain until the 1930’s. As part of Kitchener’s New Army, Frederick joined the Royal Field Artillery initially with the “C” Battery, 97th Brigade, which after a re-organisation, became the “D” Battery of the 96th Brigade, part of the 21st division.

On 10 September 1915, Frederick and his brigade disembarked in France. This meant that he was entitled to the 1914-1915 Star Medal, which was given to combatants who had entered the ‘Theatre of War’ before the end of 1915. He would also have received the Victory and the British War Medals.

By this time, Frederick had been promoted to Serjeant, and his brigade would have taken part of the Battle of Loos (25 September – 8 October 1915). The battle proved to be a disaster, with nearly 60,000 casualties, many caused by chlorine gas used by the British, blown back on their own trenches.

The Battle of the Somme began on 1 July 1916, with Frederick’s battery supporting the infantry by a barrage of shelling on the German lines with targets named Lozenge Alley, Crucifix Trench and Bottom Wood. During the days that followed the brigade would continue to shell the German lines until they were relieved by the 51st Divisional Artillery on 24 July and moved to Arras via Bonnay. Between 13 and 22 September, “D” battery was back on the Somme, stationed near Bazentin-le-Grand. It is not known how Frederick was killed, but he lost his life on 19 September. The entry in the War Diary for that month just states that nine ‘other ranks’ were killed.

Frederick was eventually buried in the Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, France. He is also commemorated locally on the Mitcham War Memorial. According to his wishes, Frederick’s mother Jemima received his last pay of £14.1.6 plus the War Gratuity of £11.00.

For a more detailed account of the life of Frederick and his family written by Chris Burge, click on the following link and "search" for Buckland

https://summerstown182.wordpress.com/2015/10/09/frederick-sizmur-buckland/