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"Lieutenant William Alexander John Buckland AFC (observer). His crew, from No. 3 Squadron AFC, was shot down about 3 km west of Morlancourt on 6 May 1918. Their RE8 was intercepted by five German fighters, and crashed in flames..." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)

Other service: Served as Lieutenant, Melbourne University Rifles, Citizen Military Forces.

Son of Mary Jane and the late John Buckland, of Mirboo North, Gippsland, Victoria, Australia.

Commemorated on 3 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, Roll of Honour, Shrine of Memories, Anzac Square, Brisbane, Queensland

GIFTED AIRMAN KILLED
Flight-Lieutenant W. A. J. Buckland, of Mirboo North, Gippsland, was killed In action on May 6. Lieutenant Buckland was educated at Wesley College, and when leaving the school won a Government Exhibition and a Resident Scholarship at Ormond College. While at the University he distinguished himself as a brilliant student and a man of exceptional and attractive character. Before leaving for the front, he completed his course for the Degree of Bachelor, of Civil Engineering, with final honors. He was a keen athlete in several departments and took an active interest in the Melbourne University Rifles, in which corps he held a commission, and in social improvement work, both inside and outside the University. He left Australia with the Engineers but subsequently obtained a commission In the Flying Corps.

About Our Soldiers
Lieut. Jack Buckland Killed.
On Monday afternoon official news reached Mirboo North that Flight Lieutenant W. A. J. Buckland, the only son of Mrs Buckland, of the Mirboo Stores, had been killed in action in France on the 6th May. The news cast quite a gloom over the district, as the deceased lad had such a promising career ahead of him Jack—the name everybody addressed him by—was born at Moe 24 years ago, and came to Mirboo North with his mother and sisters when Mrs Buckland purchased the storekeeping business carried on by the Hayes family. He continued his education at Wesley College, and graduated at the University. He had a brilliant course at those schools, and won the following Scholarships and Prizes At Wesley College : The Draper, and The Walter Powell Scholarship;-, and The Argus, The Melville & Mullen, and The Felex Meyer Prizes; at Ormond : The Wright, The Dwight, The Wyselaske, and The Dixon Scholarships, together with the Government Exhibition and Ormond and Queen's Entrance Scholarships. He obtained the degree of Master of Engineering, and, having gained this, his ambition, he immediately enlisted, going into camp in January, 1916. He sailed with a big contingent of Mirboo lads. known as "Major McCormack's boys," and served with the Engineers for about 15 months. He then got transferred to the Australian Aviation Corps. The Engineers were loath to part with him, his officers recognising in him a most capable and valuable soldier, especially in engineering work, no one knowing more about that than he. The deceased lad did not take long to gain his commission on joining the Flying Corps, and from then to the time of his death—about 9 months— he was flying in France as an observer. As is well known, flying is about the most dangerous branch of the army, and an aviator who lasts more than six months is an exception. In fact, one statistician, writing to the London "Times,'' states that after laborious searching he found out the average life in the air of a flier was 17½ hours only ! Those who take on flying in this war are courting Death. The late John Buckland had many fine qualities. He was liked by every body He took a keen interest in all kind of sport, especially in lawn tennis. He was a good living young man in
every way. Whilst at the University, he and a comrade, hearing that the chaplain on the transcontinental railway was in ill-health, got permission to relieve him for a month. The deepest sympathy is felt for the bereaved mother and sisters in the loss 
of their only son and brother.