Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

WILLIAM JOSEPH BUCKMASTER (1887-1960) born at Yass, son of James Benjamin and Rachel Buckmaster nee Davis. He enlisted in the 1st AIF on September 21st, 1915 as Private 53926, 33rd Battalion and after training at Cootamundra, was sent to the 13th Reinforcing, 1st Battalion at Liverpool on December 14th, 1915. He then embarked on the HMAT A169 Aeneas and sailed on December 20th, 1915. His description was given as 5'5 ½” inches tall, weight 132 lbs, complexion dark, eyes brown, hair dark brown. He was obviously not a large man. By 31 January 1916 he was in Cairo where he was admitted to hospital with a mild case of Mumps - discharged from hospital on February 10th, 1916. Six days later he was allotted to and proceeded to join 54th Infantry Battalion at Tel-El-Kebir, then on May 13th, 1916 he was transferred to the 57th Battalion, then on June 17th, he embarked to join the British Expeditionary Forces (B.E.F) and disembarked on June 23rd at Marseilles. He was in the field in France, when he complained of Rheumatism on November 13th and was admitted to hospital. Another hospital stay in Rouen on January 16th, 1917, for the same complaint and eventually on February 27th he was in Le Harve where he embarked for England. On February 28th he was again admitted to hospital in Exeter, this time with nephritis. This final event hastened his return home as on March 13th, he was transferred from Exeter to Stanefield and then Weymouth until he was sent home on board the HT Port Lylleton in October 19th, 1917 - Medically unfit.
Arriving back in Australia, William must have recovered and decided that he wanted to return to the War, so on April 11th, 1918 he re-enlisted at Forbes NSW under the name of James Baker and his occupation as barman. He altered his age and this is when he gave Elizabeth Buckmaster's name as his next of kin, as his sister. He was appointed to D Company on 21 May 1918 at Liverpool. On 19 June 1918 he embarked on D60 H MA T Field Marshall in Sydney, arriving in London on 26 August 1918. On the journey he was promoted to Acting Corporal but reverts to Private on arrival at 18th Battalion, whilst at 5th Training Base.
On September 17th, 1918 he finally divulged his true identity – signing a Statutory Declaration to prove the fact. On September 28th, 1918 he is sent to the 9th Gn Battalion. He doesn't appear to have left England this time, ending up in the 33rd Battalion, stationed at Weymouth until April 22nd, 1919. He embarked for his return to Australia on board the Leicestershire May 3rd 1919 and was officially discharged on December 26th, 1919.
Then on June 19th, 1941 at the Recruiting Depot, Eastern Command, Paddington he enlisted as Corporal N272384. He was discharged on January 1st, 1943, final posting was with the 13th Australian Camp Hospital.
On returning to Australia the second time, William appears to have remained in Sydney. In his army records there is correspondence, dating from October 1930, asking that his discharge papers be re-issued as he has lost them. At this time he is living at 44 High Street, South Strathfield. This is probably so he could get a pension. In 1947 he supplies another Statutory Declaration saying he has lost his papers and badges. This time he is living at 5 Jesmond Street, Darlinghurst, but on the same date another document for the same thing, but signed by another JP and in this he says he is living at 191 Bourke Street, Sydney. Again in 1953 he is applying for replacement of lost papers with a Statutory Declaration and gives his address as 92 William Street, Sydney. Unfortunately there are no copies of the Department of Veteran's Affairs's replies, only a stamp acknowledging receipt.
[DAVIS OF GOUNYAN - ROLL OF HONOUR - BM Pittman]