Bravery

Walking around Countesthorpe this afternoon and spotted this

William Buckingham was brought up in Countesthorpe Cottage Homes by Mr and Mrs Harrison. His mother was still alive although this was not discovered until after he was awarded the V.C. He enlisted in November 1901, and joined 2nd Bn The Leicestershire Regiment in India. On the outbreak of the First World War, 2nd Bn as part of the Garwhal Brigade of the Meerut Division of the Indian Army Corps deployed to France. Buckingham was awarded the Victoria Cross 'for conspicuous acts of bravery and devotion to duty in rescuing and rendering aid to the wounded whilst exposed to heavy fire, especially at Neuve Chapelle, on 10th and 12th of March 1915' (London Gazette, 28.4.1915). The VC was presented to him by HM King George V at Buckingham Palace on 4.6.1915. He was promoted to LCpl and was based at The Depot at Glen Parva Barracks, and employed with recruiting in the county. He then gave up his stripes and returned to France, joining 1st Bn where he became orderly to Captain JWE Mosse (OC A Company, and whose father was CO of the Depot).