7th Leinsters

Lt-Col. Stannus

/ Matthew K Barrett / 1 Comment

Lieutenant-Colonel T.R.A. Stannus†
7th Bn., Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians)
Stannus

Although severely wounded, and thereby unluckily precluded from leading them to the attack his careful supervision and preliminary preparations undoubtedly ensured the success which his men attained. His adjutant was wounded at the same moment, but Lieut.-Colonel Stannus declined all aid until the other officer had been attended to. He had previously done splendid work when acting as O.C., on one occasion frustrating a raid with great loss to the enemy, entirely through personal foresight and grasp of the situation.

(Lt. Col. Stannus, D.S.O. citation, 18 Sept 1917)

Born on 29 September 1870 in Clonygowan, Ireland, Thomas Robert Alexander Stannus was a long serving soldier and Boer War veteran. He was taken prisoner and later wounded in action with the Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa. Having served with the Leinster Regiment since 1889, he retired to the Special Officer Reserve in April 1914. On the outbreak of the Great War, he rejoined the 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion at the rank of major.

Continue reading →

Lt-Col. Buckley

/ Matthew K Barrett / Leave a comment

Lieutenant-Colonel G.A.M. Buckley
7th Bn., Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians)
Buckley

We are not yet out of the wood, let us see to it that at the eleventh hour nothing is done to detract from the high honour that has come to us. I appeal to you once again–officers and men let us pull ourselves together for the last lap … As for me, my heart has bled for you all during these days and nights of trial. I shall thank God when I see you all safely out, and there is no prouder colonel in the whole British Army than I am to-day.

(Lt. Col. Buckley, 5 Aug 1917 in Whwiitton, The History of the Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment, vol. 2, 428)

 Born on 25 October 1866 in Christchurch, New Zealand George Alexander McLean Buckley was a sheep farmer, land broker, county politician, sportsman, swimmer, polo player, model yacht enthusiast, explorer, and soldier. He joined the British Army in 1885 and served in India before returning to New Zealand in 1891 to manage the large Lagmhor Estate. Noted for his many interests and adventurous spirit, he travelled to Patagonia in 1897 and joined partway Ernest Shackleton’s 1907 expedition to Antarctica. By the outbreak of the Great War, he had been living in England for ten years and took up soldiering once again.

Continue reading →