Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frank Buckett an ex publican, born 1856 in Fareham, Hampshire, and his wife Ida Mary Buckett (nee Rattcliffe, married in the 2nd quarter of 1891 in the Westminster, Middlesex district), born 1858 in Wendover, Buckinghamshire. Frank George was born in the 4th quarter of 1891 in Wendover, his siblings were Rose Eveline, born 1893 and Elveria Ida, born 1898, the latter two siblings were both born in Bicester, Oxfordshire, in March 1901 the family home was at 3, Stock Lake, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. In April 1911 Frank was employed as an apprentice joiner and was residing in the family home at 24, Craven Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, together with his mother and siblings, Rose and Elveria, his father was engaged as a domestic butler and was residing as a servant at 2, Fourth Avenue, Steyning, Sussex.
The War Diary records: 9 Apr-16 – PHILOSOPHE. Sunday. Deep dug-outs and clearing WEST FACE after mine explosion.
The War Diary records: 10/15 Apr-16 – PHILOSOPHE. Deep dug-outs only. 1 Sapper killed 12th.4.16.
On Friday April 28th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTONIAN KILLED BY AN EXPLOSION. We much regret to learn that Sapper Frank Buckett, of the 69th Division, has been killed by a mine explosion. He was working in the front trenches when the Germans exploded a mine, and a piece of the debris fell on him and broke his neck, death being instantaneous. He was buried by an English chaplain in the churchyard at Vermelles, where a cross is being erected by his comrades. Deceased was the only and dearly beloved son of Mr. Buckett, who was for many years butler to the late Colonel Edward H. Baldock, C.B., of Craven Lodge, Melton Mowbray, and letter’s received from deceased’s Commanding Officer and comrades speak in great terms of affection of their friend, who was regarded by all who knew him as a steady, intelligent, and high minded young man. Pte. Buckett served his apprenticeship with Mr. Ernest Clarke, builder, Melton Mowbray. And in the same edition under the heading, “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – THANKS. Mrs. Buckett and family desire through the “Melton Times,” to thank all kind friends for letters of sympathy they have received in their sad bereavement.
On Friday April 13th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – IN MEMORIAM.- BUCKETT- In ever loving memory of our dear and only son, Frank George Buckett R. E., aged 24 years, killed in action April 12th 1916. A noble life struck down. In all its manhood pride. None but parent’s love can tell. The grief he left behind. From his sorrowing Father, Mother and Sisters.
On Friday May 5th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – (A photograph accompanied the article). SAPPER GEO. FRANK BUCKETT. Aged 24, of the ---- Field Company, Royal Engineers who was killed in action on April 12th, as reported in our last issue. Deceased was the only and dearly beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Buckett of Leicester, formerly residing at Melton Mowbray. He served four years with the Melton Territorials, gaining prizes for shooting. As soon as war was declared he joined the Engineers and while in training for the front, gained the Cross Guns, and took great interest in all his work. He was a kind, thoughtful, and steady young man, and was loved by all who knew him personally. The Commanding Officer of deceased’s Company wrote to Mr. Buckett as follows: “It is with deep regret that I, as his commanding officer, write to inform you of the death of your son, No. 47868 Sapper Frank G. Buckett. He was killed on the 18th April by the explosion of a hostile mine, while doing his duty in the front trench. He was buried to-day, with the military honours which he so well deserved, in the British Cemetery, Vermelles. I deeply deplore the loss of your son and trust you will accept my sincere sympathy in your bereavement. A cross will be erected.” Writing to Sapper Buckett’s parents, Sapper F. Allen says: “As a great friend of your late son, I consider it my duty to write to you. As my home is at Derby your son and I seemed to get very big friends (both being Midland boys), and I can assure you his sudden death has put a very great damper on my life. Being much younger than your son I always looked up to him for advice, and that which he gave me was invariably sound and good. I was 18 when we first came out here and from that day onwards he looked after me like a brother. I am sure you would like to know how he met his sad end, so I will do my best to give you the truest account. He was working in the trenches at the time and was just about to leave (having -?- his day’s work), when the Germans exploded a mine close by. Frank ran for shelter, but unfortunately he ran into it, and was hit on the back of the neck with a large piece of chalk which killed him instantaneously by breaking his neck. I can assure you that he suffered no pain, but gave his life for his home and country like a true British man. Your great sorrow will be shared by the old boys at the ----, with whom he was most popular.” From letters which deceased had written home from time to time he appears to have been in some of the hottest of the fighting, and on various occasions he experienced marvellous escapes. Two nights before Christmas he and his comrades were called out to repair their parapets, as the Germans had knocked them about with their artillery. Just after the work had been started the enemy bombarded their trenches for all they were worth and they never expected coming out of those trenches alive as shells were bursting all around them. One knocked the trench in on top of him and another chap. It was not very nice being buried alive, but they were soon got out unhurt, though shaken a bit. It was marvellous what narrow escapes they had, whereas other poor fellows got knocked out the first week they came to the front. Another night deceased was sapping about 15 yards from the Germans and both sides were bombing each other, so that the Engineers were working between two fires. One big German threw a bomb at deceased, just missing his head. The bomb burst on the trench side, and as luck would have it none of the pieces caught him, though the drum of his left ear was ruptured by the concussion.
On Friday April 12th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. – BUCKETT.- In ever loving memory of our dear and only son, Frank George Buckett, R.E., killed in action in France, April 12th, 1916, age 24 years. Our dear son lies far from those he loved, But we know his soul is at rest; He was one of the first in duty’s call, And now he is with the blest. From his sorrowing parents and sisters.