Private JAMES HENRY BUCK

17, Andover Road, Winchester

Family Background

James Henry Buck was born in 1892 in Gibraltar, the fourth of Tom and Harriet Buck’s eight children. James, known to his family and friends as Harry, came from a military background - his father served in the Winchester-based King's Royal Rifle Corps while his mother’s father is also believed to have been in the Army.

James's life was marred by personal difficulties and tragedy. In 1903, by which time the family were living at 45, Wharf Hill, Winchester, his five-year old sister Violet died. A few months later his father Tom, who was just 39, also passed away. James’s mother Harriet received £21 from the Army to bring up her remaining five children.

In 1908 Harriet remarried. Her second husband, Arthur Munday, was 16 years younger than her and the family went to live with Arthur's mother at 5, Princes Buildings in Middle Brook Street, Winchester. This was one of the most deprived areas of the city with much dilapidated and unsanitary housing.

Life for the children was difficult. By 1911, James’s younger sister Amelia had been admitted to a mental asylum in London, while James himself had entered the Winchester workhouse on St Paul's Hill. He was listed as a general labourer so quite why he had been sent to the workhouse is unclear as there is no record of any disability. Perhaps he had fallen out with his stepfather who was only a few years older or maybe there was simply no room for him in the family home. James may therefore have viewed the outbreak of war in 1914 as an opportunity to improve his lot and see the world.

Great War Record

Harriet and Arthur were living at 17, Andover Road, Winchester, when Britain declared war. James volunteered for military service with the Hampshire Regiment in 1915 and joined his battalion in India later that year with the rank of private. In early 1916 he was sent from India to Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) to reinforce other Hampshire Regiment soldiers fighting there. What happened to James once he arrived in Mesopotamia is unknown. He was either wounded in battle or fell sick because he was taken back to India on a hospital ship. He died at Quetta (now in Pakistan) of typhoid on 13 July 1916, aged 24.

Private James Henry Buck was entitled to the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He was buried at Karachi Cemetery, but according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has no known grave. This suggests he was buried in haste due to the virulent nature of typhoid fever. He is remembered on the Delhi memorial in India and also on the memorials at St Paul’s and St Matthew’s churches, Winchester.

Activities: Find out more about the Winchester workhouse on St Paul's Hill.