5732709 Private Gerald Edward Buckley
5732709 Private Gerald Edward Buckley was born on 14th April 1922 in Alcester, Warwickshire; the son
of Albert Edward Buckley and Alice R. Buckley (née Robinson). Albert was employed as a Toolmaker at
the BSA[1] Motor Cycle Works in Union Street, Redditch.
At the time of the 1939 Register of England and Wales Gerald was living with his parents in the town
of Redditch in Worcestershire where his father was employed. Gerald's work was dress work (saddle) and his
father was still employed as a Toolmaker in the Motor Works. Gerald was also a Messenger in ARP.
The pre-war period was a thriving and rapidly expanding time in
the production of motor vehicles in the area around the south of Birmingham, with many people being employed
either directly or indirectly in motor car and motorcycle manufacturing, with the huge Austin factory at
Longbridge approaching its heyday of the post war period of the 1960s. There was no major connection with the trade
of saddle making which was undertaken in the Black Country town of Walsall. Therefore, it is likely that
Gerald's work involved the production of motorcycle saddles, rather than saddles for horses, so it is possible
he could even have been involved in the manufacture of motorcycles used in the Battle of Arnhem.
On 2nd August 1941, when already on active service, Gerald married Dorothy May Heath at The Parish
Church, Headless Cross, Worcestershire. Dorothy worked as an electro plater. The couple's fathers acted as
witnesses to the marriage.
After successfully completing Parachute Course K48, Gerald joined the 11th Parachute Battalion and
fought at the Battle of Arnhem during Operation Market Garden in September 1944. We don't have any details about
his actions at the Battle of Arnhem but we do know he returned home safely after the battle and, as far as we
know, without sustaining any physical injuries.
On 11th December 1948 he was awarded his war medals and was living at 11 Married Quarters, RAF
Station Digby, Lincoln.
After surviving the Battle of Arnhem, on Thursday 19th March 1953, Gerald was involved in an
horrendous road accident. Gerald, employed as a barman at the US Air Force Base at Sculthorpe, whilst riding
home from work, was dazzled by the headlamps of an oncoming car and fell from his bike, sustaining extensive
head injuries. Gerald's injuries were so severe that sadly they resulted in his death the following day
(Friday 20th March 1952) in Lynn Hospital, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, leaving his wife as a widow and
his 6 children without a father.
A tragic end to the life of a man who had fought for his country, and was killed on his bike returning home from
his civilian work to his family.
We are still researching the life of Private Buckley. If you are a relative or have any information about him,
please contact us.
1. BSA motorcycles were made by the Birmingham Small Arms Company Limited who, during World War 2 produced munitions components, Browning guns and shell fuses. Included in this were 126,334 service motorcycles - all of which were M20s. [source https://www.bsacompany.co.uk/history/]