BUDDLE, Thomas Percy
| Service Number: | 3359 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 10 April 1917, Bendigo, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 58th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, 1896 |
| Home Town: | Long Gully, Greater Bendigo, Victoria |
| Schooling: | State School, Bendigo, School of Mines, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | French Polisher |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 27 April 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery Plot XI, Row A, Grave No. 10, |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Bendigo Great War Roll of Honor, Bendigo Members of The Beehive Staff Pictorial Honor Roll, Long Gully Methodist Church Great War Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 10 Apr 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3359, 58th Infantry Battalion, Bendigo, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Jul 1917: | Involvement Private, 3359, 58th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '20' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Melbourne embarkation_ship_number: A16 public_note: '' | |
| 16 Jul 1917: | Embarked Private, 3359, 58th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Port Melbourne, Melbourne | |
| 4 Apr 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3359, 58th Infantry Battalion, Villers-Bretonneux | |
| 25 Apr 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3359, 58th Infantry Battalion, Villers-Bretonneux |
Help us honour Thomas Percy Buddle's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Elizabeth and the late Peter BUDDLE of 44 Hartington Street, Elsernwick, Vic.
Private Percy Buddle, aged 22 years, 38th Battalion. Sailed from Australia on 16th July, 1917, was killed in action on 27th April 1918. He was a member of the Rechabite Lodge, also a scholar of the Wilson Street Methodist Sunday School. He was the second son of Mr. P. Buddle, mining manager of Bennett Street, Long Gullly. His eldest brother, Private Edgar Buddle, has been on active service for three years.
LATE PERCY BUDDLE.
Mr. and Mrs. P. Buddle, of Bonnett street, Long Gully, have received from Chaplain Charles Hall a letter of condolence in the loss of their son, Private Percy Buddle who was killed in action In France, on the 27th April. Chaplain Hall states that Private Buddle was killed by a shell while engaged in an heroic action on the part of the brigade to restore the line, which had been broken. The line was restored in less than 25 hours, but at the cost, of several lives of our gallant soldiers, who paid the supreme sacrifice. His comrades brought the body back and he was given a soldier's funeral at the back of the lines in a little cemetery which had been set apart. A cross has been erected on the spot and he hoped it will not bo long before a plate is sent by the department. Everyone, in the battalion felt most keenly the loss of so gallant a soldier, and they offer their sincerest sympathy.
Biography contributed by Larna Malone
Thomas Percy Buddle, known as "Percy" was born in Long Gully in 1896, the son of Peter and Mary Elizabeth Buddle of 430 Bennett Street, Long Gully, and brother of Edgar Peter Buddle. He was a Methodist, and attended the Wilson-street Methodist Church and Sunday school. He was educated at Long Gully State School and the Bendigo School of Mines before completing a 5 year apprenticeship at the Beehive as a French Polisher.
Percy Buddle was 21 years old when he enlisted for service in the AIF on 10.4.17. he had been rejected on a previous occasion due to his height, which was only 5' 11/2 " He was, however, accepted on this occasion, as the medical examiner considered him fit for for active service "although he is 1/2 inch under height". (11.4.17)
On 3.5.17 he joined ther Recruit Battalion at Broadmeadows. On 8.6.17 he was allocated Service No. 3359 and appointed to the 9th Reinforcements for the 58th Battalion.
"PRESENTATION TO A SOLDIER. Almost all the unmarried eligible employes of the Beehive Stores, Bendigo, have followed the patriotic example of the principal of the firm (Major R. O. Henderson) and have enlisted. One of the last to do so (Private Percy Buddle, of the 58th Battalion) was "farewelled" by his fellow employe Tuesday afternoon and presented with a safety razor and other useful necessities for his sea voyage and camp and trench life. Mr. G. E. Bolton, manager of the Beehive, said that the young soldier, who was an apprentice in the furniture department, enlisted immediately he had completed his apprenticeship. His older brotherr, who was also a Beehive employe, was already at the front. Private Buddle suitably acknowledged the gifts." [Bendigonian 12 July 1917]
Percy Buddle embarked for service overseas on 16.7.17 on board "Port Melbourne". He disembarked at Liverpool, England, on 16.9.17 and then spent some months with the 15th Training Battalion at Hurdcott. On 8.1.18 he embarked for France and joined the 58th Battalion five days later.
Thomas Percy Buddle was Killed in Action on 27.4.18.
The Germans had captured the village of Villers-Brettoneux on 24th April, and the 15th Australian Brigade was now holding portion of the line to the north of the town. The Unit War Diary recorded that the 58th Battalion was ordered forward on the night of 27/28th to relieve the 60th Battalion in the Line, and commenced moving at 10 p.m. The Enemy could be seen advancing directly opposite the 60th Battalion front at this time.
"Mr and Mrs P. Buddle, of Bennett-street, Long Gully, have received from Chaplain Charles Hall a letter of condolence in the loss of their son, Private Percy Buddle, who was killed in action in France, on the 27th April. Chaplain Hall states that Private Buddle was killed by a shell while engaged in an heroic action on the part of the brigade to restore the line, which had been broken. The line was restored in less than 25 hours, but at the cost of several lives of our gallant soldiers, who paid the supreme sacrifice. His comrades brought the body back and he was given a soldier's funeral at the back of the lines in a little cemetery which had been set apart. A cross has been erected on the spot and he hoped it will not be long before a plate is sent by the department. Everyone in the battalion felt most keenly the loss of so gallant a soldier, and they offer their sincerest sympathy". [Bendigonian 4 July 1918]
He was Buried at Fouilley, but his body was later exhumed and Re-Buried in the Villers Bretonneux Military Cemetery. Plot XI, Row A, Grave no 10. Inscription: "DEARLY LOVED BY ALL."
"Mr. P. Buddle, of Bennett-street, Long Gully, has been advised that his son, Private Percy T. Buddle, was killed in action in France on 22nd [sic] April. He was 22 years of age, and sailed about ten months ago. He was employed in the Beehive for some years, and was connected with the Wilson-street Methodist Church and Sunday School. His brother, Private Edgar Buddle, is on active service. At the Methodist Church, Wilson-street, Long Gully, the Rev. W. H. Holtham on Sunday made sympathetic reference to the death of Private Percy Buddle, . . . . Percy Buddle lived amongst us and we thought we knew him thoroughly well. But through this war there has been given to us a deeper insight into his character and a truer revelation of the elements that went to make up his manhood. He felt the call of his country and offered himself in its service. He was rejected once, but tried again and the second time was accepted. One year ago he enlisted. Ten months ago he embarked for the front. And now he is gone and we stand to pay this tribute to his memory . . . " [Bendigonian 16 May 1918]
"Members of the Beehive Staff Who Served in the Great War": Larna Malone
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