Private Reginald Buckwell, 12th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment.

Private Reginald Buckwell, SD/1578 12th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment.
He was the son of Mrs. Catherine Chapman, of 11, Marine Rd., Eastbourne. He died 11th June 1916 aged 23 and is buried in Ocklynge Cemetery, Eastbourne.

This report of his life and funeral appeared in the Eastbourne Gazette.


Military Funeral

Private Reginald Buckwell

“On June 11, Private Reginald Buckwell, the youngest son of the late Mr. James Buckwell (ex-member of the Metropolitan Police) and Mrs. Chapman, 45, Channel View Road, Eastbourne, died in Nottingham Hospital.

He joined the Royal Sussex Regiment (“Lowther’s Own”) in October, 1914 and underwent training at Cooden. After a short time in France the deceased was shot through the ankle and was invalided to Nottingham, where he died of pneumonia and pleurisy.
Private Buckwell was born in Eastbourne and was educated at Christ Church and St. Andrew’s Church Schools, afterwards entering the greengrocery trade.

The funeral, attended with full military honours, took place on Saturday afternoon at Ocklynge Cemetery. The band of the Convalescent Camp accompanied the cortege and a military firing party was present. The “Last Post” was sounded at the graveside. The coffin was polished oak with solid brass fittings, bore the inscription: “Private Reginald Buckwell, died 11th June 1916 aged 23.” Messers Haine & Sons were the undertakers.”

Private Buckwell's grave lies underneath the tree in the foreground