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Date	Original Topic
7th November 2001	The Noble 24th and a question on Thomas Buckley By Richard Howes I just wanted to say that I recieved my copy of the Noble 24th through the post today and it is a truly fantastic piece of reference material- absolutely amazing. Anyway, I have a question that someone will hopefully put me straight on- I'm interested in Zulu War/ World War 1 links, and whilst leafing through said book today I came across RD veteran Pt. Thomas Buckley 25B/1184- and Holme writes 'thought to have served in the RFC/ RAF 1914- 1918'. Can anybody verify this, and offer any further info? Thanks-
Date	Replies
8th November 2001	Martin Everett Dear Richard, I am unable to confirm this, but you could try Lee Stevenson who is the expert on RD defenders [email protected] I would be interested in any additional information you find out on Buckley.
8th November 2001	Lee Stevenson Further to my e-mail, some years ago an attempt was made to confirm if Buckley had seen any service with the RAF during the First World War. A Corporal Thomas Buckley, RAF was found via the files then held by the RAF Records Office. He earned the British War Medal and Victory Medal. However at that time it was not possible to confirm if he was the same Thomas Buckley of Rorke's Drift fame. I understand that records of service for RFC/RAF personnel for the WW1 period have now been transferred to the Public Record Office, Kew. So, in theory, it should be possible to find further information on the 'RAF' Buckley. The Rorke's Drift Buckley saw service with the 1st Imperial Light Horse during the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902, gaining the Queen's South Africa medal with clasp for 'Elandslaagte' and 'Defence of Ladysmith' Martin has a group photograph in his archives at the museum of nine old comrades c.1926, which includes a Pensioner Buckley, and a Mr J Williams, VC..... Lee
13th November 2001	Richard Howes Thank you very much for the information. I am currently in the process of arranging a date to next visit the PRO. I shall keep you informed of any progress!