Lives of the First World War

1914 - 1915

When war broke out, Charles Buckley enlisted at Preston and was posted to the 6th Battalion of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, of the 38th Infantry Brigade, 13th (Western) Division under General Maude. On 14th November 1915, just 2 months after his brother John died, Charles Buckley began military service in the Balkans. In November 1915, the battalion was at Chocolate Hill at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli. The atrocious weather of the 26th November flooded the dug-outs and trenches, and there were several casualties from drowning. The weather then turned, with freezing wind and snow that was so cold some were incapable of pulling the trigger. In December the Battalion withdrew and moved to Lemnos, and then to camp at Portianos, Mudros. In January 1916 they struck camp and embarked on the SS Ascanius arriving at Alexandria on the 22nd. There followed a period of training and instruction to make troops hard and prepare them for open warfare. The Battalion proceeded to outpost duty at Tineh-Ras-El-Esh Saltworks redoubt. The Tineh sector was commanded by Captain WG Cragg while Liet RL Raiss commanded the Saltworks sector. The battalion headquarters was at Port Said.

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