| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Harold Buck was born in 1899 in Beverley one of five sons born to William and Mary Buck, and one of three who served, along with Harold and Stanley. Arthur was christened at Beverley Minster. William and Mary Buck were both born in Norfolk, and moved to Beverley in about 1885, William was employed as a tanners' labourer.
Harold followed his two older brothers into the Yorkshire Regiment. Arthur was killed in Sep 1916, but Stanley survived the war and, like Harold, returned home to Beverley.
Having joined the Yorkshire Regiment and, as part of B Coy, 8th Platoon, Harold took part in Operation Michael which commenced on 21 Mar 1918. This was the start of the Germans' last big attempt to break through the allied lines before the American's arrived. Very heavy casualties were sustained on both sides, there being 38,000 British casualties and a large number of allied prisoners were taken. Harold was one of those taken prisoner and was held at Friedrichsfeld prisoner of war camp. His return home to Beverley after the Armistice was reported in the Beverley Guardian 14 Dec 1918 :
'H. Buck, 2nd Yorks (formerly 5th Yorks) son of William Buck, Eastgate, Beverley.
He was taken prisoner on March 22nd, 1918. He was engaged chiefly on farmwork and on the whole was well treated, but was very badly fed.He reached home last Saturday.'
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |