Honoured by the King - Distinguished Service Medal for Seaman J E Buckle

The New Year honours include a Distinguished Service Medal to Able Seaman J Edward Buckle, of Rushden, for service in the Dardanelles.

Seaman Buckle’s Exploit - A ‘Turkey’ for Christmas!
Submarine B11 and the Raid – A Rushden Hero

Writing on the day following the daring adventure by the Submarine B11, Seaman J E Buckle (Rushden), says: “I am quite well and getting plenty of food, etc. I had two letters from home but never expected to be able to answer either, as I didn’t expect we should get back. But I am pleased to say that, as luck would have it, we managed to win one ‘Turkey’ for Christmas. One round – one hit! Of course, we were in great danger all the time, and it was very trying. We had congratulations from all sorts of officers and men in the Fleet, and tomorrow the Admiral is coming to see us. I think the war will not last long, and I hope to come back at the finish.”

Writing through the Rev H J Horn to the “Rushden Baptist” magazine, Seaman Buckle says “I will endeavour to read every day from the little book you sent me, but I leave it on our switchboard so that all who like can read it. We are only 15 all told. Picture yourself in a boat about 100 feet long and just a small bridge to get a smoke on. It is not very nice, but we are as happy as sand boys, and patiently wait for our enemy to come out. But they won’t show themselves—when they do we shall be glad. I have had sad news that one of my best friends has been lost on another submarine.”

In the editorial column of the same magazine the following reference is made: “The daring exploit of the Submarine B11 in penetrating the Dardanelles and torpedoing a Turkish warship is an achievement that will find a permanent place in the history of the war. The event is made the more interesting to us, inasmuch as one the heroes of the adventure, James Edward Buckle, passed through our Sunday school, his name being one of the earliest to be entered on our Roll of Honour. Miss Florence Buckle, an active worker in our Sunday school and C.E. Society, is of course James’ sister.”

The Famous Submarine B11 - Another Letter from a Rushden Hero
The Germans Won’t Come Out! – Short Work if They Do
Still another letter of great interest comes from Seaman J E Buckle (Rushden) who is serving on board the famous submarine B11. Writing to Mr Horace Wright, Portland-road, Rushden, he says: “I received your welcome letter on the night before we made the raid, but you will have seen about that a lot before we saw it in the papers. I may say that none of us expected to return because it was a nasty place. Our captain knew what he was doing, although we were in danger all the time. Nine hours is a long time to be under water without seeing the blue sky or the country around us. I never expected to answer your letter, but, thank God, we are safe again for a time. We never know what the next day will bring.

“You were asking if we should get a chance to “wing” the Goeben. Well, now you see we have made just as good a capture as if we had caught the Goeben, but you see they won’t come out. We had got to ‘dish’ them out, and a nice Turkey it was! I don’t think it will be yet awhile that the Germans will come out—they know a thing or two. It will be short work if they so, for we are up-to-date.

“So Sidney has joined the Army. Well, I wish him the best of luck. I see they want a lot more yet. I am glad to see that trade is good in Rushden.”

Seaman J. E. Buckle D.C.M. of Submarine B11

Seaman J. E. Buckle, D.C.M., of the famous Submarine B11, writing to friends at Rushden, regarding the Dardenelles exploit says:-

“I am very pleased to hear you are well. For myself, I am A1. In your letter you say you are proud of us. Well, they say it was a grand piece of work, but I must say that none of us ever expected to come back, for the place is supposed to be impregnable, you know. I only wish the war was over. We have just been relieved from our place for eight days, so that we can go to-for a little leave, as we have not put foot on shore for over six months. We had a rough trip back from the Dardenelles, but we arrived all the same.

Rushden’s Seaman D.C.M. - Submarine B11

“There is not much doing in the Turk line now, but we shall get at them soon,” writes Seaman J. E. Buckle, D.C.M. (Rushden), of Submarine B11, attached to the Mediterranean Fleet. “It is a tough job,” he continues, “but no doubt we shall get through.” He goes on to speak of the terrible loss of life now going on, and says: “I can assure you that our boys are doing their bit, too, and are under great risks.” The letter was written on April 17th.

Promotion for Mr. J. E. Buckle of the famous submarine B 11
Rushden Seaman D.C.M.

We are pleased to report that seaman J. E. Buckle, D.C.M., (Rushden), of the Submarine B11, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Buckle, of Co-operative-row, Rushden, has been promoted from B.B. to Leading Seaman.

In a letter to Mrs. H. H. Hobbs, of Colwyn House, Rushden, he writes:-

So Master Will (Trooper W. Hobbs, Natal Light Horse) is doing his bit for his country, and I am pleased to hear it. The Germans will have to pay in the end, and I don't think it is far off now when once they get our high explosives on the field. My sister was telling me that she has two soldiers to look after and I suppose it makes trade good and a little excitement for Rushden people. I know the Dilleys and I am sorry to hear about their son, but there are such a lot of men getting poisoned with the gas but I think that we are giving them the same now.

You will see that I have just got a lift, being made leading seaman and the gives me another 9d. a day. I can't tell you so much news as I'd like because the censor gives us such a scope but I'lll tell you all about our little bit if I am spared to come back.

Rushden’s Sailor Hero - Seaman J. E. Buckle Receives His Distinguished Conduct Medal

Leading Seaman James Edward Buckle, DCM (Rushden), of submarine B11, in a letter to Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Hobbs writes:-

"We have received our medals. The Admiral of the fleet presented them to us, and they are very good, too. A couple of weeks ago we had a little spar while on patrol. A native around where we were patrolling came down flying a white flag, and our captain went over to have a look what was doing. Before he got to the beach there were about 30 of them with rifles and so he turned back, but before he reached the boat they opened fire, and the boat that was with us lost one killed and two wounded, and our captain got shot in the nose. It was not serious, but he had to go sick. We are a long way from the last place we were at, but we can’t say where".

Rushden Seaman Hero - Mr. James E. Buckle, D.S.M. - Home On Leave
Thrilling Adventures With A British Submarine
Underwater For Nine Hours - Enemy Seaplane Destroyed

A young Rushden submarine hero, of whom the whole township is justifiably proud, is spending a short leave at home after many months of exciting adventure, hairsbreadth escapes, and thrilling experiences. We refer to Leading Seaman J. E. Buckle, D.S.M., son of Mrs. James Buckle and the late Mr. James Buckle, of Co-operative-row, Rushden.

It will be remembered, as reported in the “Rushden Echo” at the time that on December 13th, 1914, the submarine B11, to which Seaman Buckle is attached, succeeded in passing up the Dardanelles, under several rows of mines, and torpedoed and sank the Turkish battleship “Mussidihia.”

This is the first time Seaman Buckle has visited Rushden since his thrilling adventure; in fact it is the first leave he has had for 2½ years. We regret to report that his homecoming has been saddened by the fact that during his absence his father has passed away.

A representative of the “Rushden Echo” found him looking fit and well, but very little inclined to talk of the daring exploit that earned him the distinction of the Distinguished Service Medal – the naval equivalent of the military honour of the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Our representative succeeded, however, in gathering the information that, early on December 13th, 1914, the commander of Submarine B11 (Lieut Holbrook, VC) informed the crew that he had received orders to get up the Dardanelles as far as possible. The boat was accordingly submerged at 7 a.m. and she remained under water until 5.30 p.m., a very trying ordeal for the crew, as the air became very vitiated.

The enemy ship was sighted about 11.50 a.m., and the crew received orders to stand to. About ten minutes later a torpedo was fired, and one was sufficient as it struck the Turkish battleship in the stern, and she immediately began to settle down. Only the captain of the submarine, who was at the periscope, could see what was transpiring, but the crew heard the explosion of the torpedo, and as soon as they realised that the missile had found its mark they cheered for all they were worth.

It is a curious thing that the sounds of gun fire or of explosions can be distinctly heard by the crew of submarines when beneath the surface, and striking evidence was provided the crew of the B11 that the Turkish battleship, although mortally wounded, was still capable of showing fight, as the noise of a terrific cannonade reached their ears. The stricken battleship continued to fire until she sank below the surface.

One torpedo was enough and the “Mussidihia” quickly sank. If the first missile had been ineffective another would have been fired, but as soon as the captain of the British submarine saw that the enemy ship was doomed he gave the order to return, and it is nothing short of miraculous that the B11 again passed safely through the enemy’s minefield.

It was about four days after their thrilling experiences that the crew learned that they had been individually recommended for the D.S.M, the captain for the V.C., and Lieut Wynne (second-in-command) for the D.S.O.

It was in June last year, on board a submarine depot ship, that the decorations were conferred upon them by Admiral Roebuck, who shook hands with each man, speaking in felicitous terms of their boat’s fine performance. The Admiral, however, so says Seaman Buckle, did not forget to remind them that they were no better than many other men whose bravery had passed unrecognised, and he urged them not to cultivate “the swelled head.”

Not all the good work accomplished by Seaman Buckle’s boat has been done beneath the surface, as it is but two months since they, by gunfire, brought down and sank an enemy seaplane, taking as prisoners the pilot and observer.

Seaman Buckle has held his present rank of leading seaman for about 12 months. He joined His Majesty’s Navy about eight years ago, prior to which time he worked for Mr. C. E. Knight and later for Mr. H. H. Hobbs.

He has served on board the submarines B3, A11 and B11.

As a lad he passed through the Wesleyan Sunday School at Souldrop, and afterwards the Sunday school of the Park-road Baptist Church, Rushden, and his name was one of the first to be inscribed upon that institution’s Roll of Honour.

In a letter Seamen Buckle wrote on the day following his great adventure he said: “I am quite well and getting plenty of food, etc. I had two letters from home, but never expected to be able to answer either, as I didn’t expect we should get back. But I am pleased to say that, as luck would have it, we managed to win one ‘Turkey’ for Christmas. One round, one hit! Of course we were in great danger all the time and it was very trying. We had congratulations from all sorts of officers and men in the Fleet, and tomorrow the Admiral is coming to see us. I hope to come back at the finish of the war.”

In a later letter he sent to Mr. Horace Wright, Portland-road, Rushden, he wrote: “None of us expected to return because it was a nasty place. Our caption knew what he was doing, although we were in danger all the time. Over nine hours is a long time to be under water without seeing the blue sky or the country around us, I never expected to answer your letter, but, thank God, we are safe again for a time. We never know what the next day will bring.”

We trust that Seaman Buckle’s good fortune may continue and that he may pass safely through all the vicissitudes and dangers of war.

His homecoming yesterday week was quite unexpected, although it had been known for some time past that he was to be given leave. Had the date of his arrival been common knowledge we have little doubt but that he would have been accorded an ovation upon his arrival, and his gallant services to his King and country publicly recognised. Perhaps something of that kind may take place before his leave expires.

We feel convinced that the young sailor’s fellow townsmen will feel desirous of publicly recognising his gallantry, and all that is needed is for someone to take the initiative in this respect.

Rushden Seaman Promoted
Mr. J. E. Buckle, D.S.M. - Now a First-Class Petty Officer
Submarine Work

We are pleased to report that James Edward Buckle, D.S.M., of Rushden, son of Mrs. James Buckle, of 12, Co-operative-row, Rushden, has attained further success, having been promoted from Leading Seaman to first-Class Petty Officer.

It will be remembered that First-Class P.O. J. E. Buckle obtained his D.S.M. two years ago for his participation in the penetration of the Dardanelles and the sinking of the Turkish battleship “Mussidihia” by Submarine B11. He has now been transferred to H.M. Submarine E39, and has seen previous service on the submarines B3, A11, and B11.

He joined His Majesty’s Navy about ten years ago, prior to which time he was employed first by Mr. C. E. Knight and later by Mr. H. H. Hobbs. He expects to be home for Christmas. His relatives and friends will be gratified to hear of his continued success, as there is little doubt but that his heart is in his work, especially as the examinations he has had to pass to obtain his present rank are by no means a sinecure.