The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. J A Buck

James Alan Buck from Chorltonville, Manchester was born on 27th June 1916, the son of William Alexander Buck (1865-1948) and Ellen Buck (nee Harrison 1877-1954).

He was the youngest of five sons, his father was a minister in the Catholic Apostolic Church, who had previously been a stockbrokers clerk.

JA Buck joined the RAFVR in October 1938, as an Airman u/t Pilot.

Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training and then joined 43 Squadron at Acklington on 5th February 1940.

While on leave he married Rene Broadbent at Barton, Lancashire, in October 1939.

Above: 43 Squadron in Scotland

L to R: Sgt. JA Buck, P/O A Woods-Scawen, F/Lt. CB Hull, F/O Wilkinson, Sgt. GA Garton

On patrol over France on 7th June he landed at Rouen-Boos with a burst tyre but he returned to Tangmere the next day.

On 7th July he shared a Do17.

On the 19th Buck was shot down in combat with Me109s of III/JG27 off Selsey. He baled out, wounded, but drowned. His Hurricane, P3531, crashed into the sea.

Buck was 24. His body was washed ashore at Worthing the next day and he is buried in Stretford Cemetery, Lancashire.

A daughter was born on 26th February 1941.

His brother, F/Lt. HA Buck, a pilot, died in the crash of Hudson AM607 on 27th April 1945, aged 31. He is also buried in Stretford Cemetery.