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Brigadier Ben Buckler OBE
Born Sydney, February 12, 1919
Died Melbourne, February, 1995

Sydney Buckler's leadership on the Kokoda Trail helped saved lives of most of the men in his battalion and became a cornerstone of Australian heroism in World War 11.

Though nothing could prepare a man for the role, Captain Buckler's background stood him in good stead - a boyhood passion for scouting and camping, an ardour for physical fitness and graduation from the Royal Military College, Duntroon.

Buckler was the first adjutant of the 2/14th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, which was raised in May 1940 and saw its initial service in the bloody Syrian campaign. His brother had been killed in action single-handedly storming a machine-gun post during that conflict.

The titanic battle of Isurava on the Kokoda Trail was perhaps the 2/14th's toughest battle during its distinguished World War 11 campaign. After having reinforced the beleaguered 39th Battalion on august 26, 1942, the 2/14th was subjected to grueling, fanatical and costly Japanese frontal assaults. The enemy outnumbered the Australians five to one.

Despite the odds, the battalion held its embattled territory for four crucial days and, in the process, inflicted telling casualties upon its enemy - and a delay to the ambitious Japanese timetable of conquest that they could ill-afford.

By August 30, the Australians had no alternative but to withdraw. During a savage fighting withdrawal, members of Buckler's A Company and various other soldiers of the 2/14th were cut off from their Kokoda Trail lifeline, after having fought a tenacious rearguard action to allow the evacuation of the wounded.

Ahead lay one of the most tortuous treks ever undertaken by Australian troops through some of the most inhospitable terrain in the world.

Plunging into the jungle, Buckler's exhausted soldiers carried two stretcher cases; assisted three walking wounded; and watched in profound admiration as the ever-defiant John Metson, who had been shot through both legs, and, knowing that it would require eight weary men to carry him by stretcher, wrapped his hands and knees on bandages and proceeded to crawl over the mountains through almost constant muck and rain.

After a few days Buckler sent Lieutenant Treacy and two men to contact the 2/14th at Myola. Buckler and his main group were to wait four days for their return. But Treacy, confronted by contacts with the enemy and the sever nature of the terrain, was unable to accomplish his ambitious mission.

After five days, Buckler's group retraced its steps and them moved east to the village of Sengai - living mostly on the boiled tops of sweet potato plants and water. The wounded had a wretched time, cold and wet, and in great pain. Metson maintained his slow, painful pace.

Buckler reasoned that his men's best chance of survival hinged on the ability of the party to move far faster than had previously been possible.

On September 21, 1942, his debilitated but determined force snapped to his order, "Present Arms!"

That audacious proud salute to the wounded was, in fact, also a final farewell. The medical orderly left in charge of the wounded, Private Fletcher, and his helpless patients (including Metson) were later executed by a Japanese patrol.

In an effort to get help for his main group of 38 soldiers left under the command of Lieutenant Butler, Buckler now pushed on alone, hoping also to obtain air support for his distant wounded contingent at Sengai. He contact American troops on October 28.

Buckler's men would later write: 'But for Captain Buckler not one would have survived. His firm decision, unsleeping, untiring energy, daring in attempting to pass through the Japanese-held areas, his thorough military training and bushcraft made possible the almost impossible.'

Buckler was later seconded to serve with the first Australian parachute unit at Tocumwal Royal Australian Air Force station in November 1942. But an accident during a parachute jump prohibited further active service and his remaining war service was spent as a staff officer.

He later attained the rank of Brigadier. He was married to his wife, Judith, for 52 years and they had eight children.

Source:

Obituary by Peter Brune
Author of 'Those Ragged Bloody Heroes'