Jimmy Buckley died during an escape attempt on 21 March 1943.
16 Facts About Jimmy Buckley
1.
2.
Jimmy Buckley was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Navy with seniority from 15 June 1926.
3.
Jimmy Buckley then spent much of his early career attached to the Royal Air Force, interspersed with periods of other naval duties.
4.
Jimmy Buckley continued to receive regular promotions within the Royal Navy during this period, to lieutenant on 1 December 1928, and lieutenant commander on 1 December 1936.
5.
Jimmy Buckley assumed command of No 825 Squadron Fleet Air Arm in January 1940, which was equipped with Fairey Swordfish aircraft.
6.
Jimmy Buckley was shot down on a bombing raid during the defence of Calais on 29 May 1940 and was captured by the Germans on the same day.
7.
Jimmy Buckley was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in July 1940 for "daring, endurance and resource in the conduct of hazardous and successful operations by the Fleet Air Arm working with the Coastal Command in France and over the Channel".
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Roger Bushell 8.
Jimmy Buckley's citation appearing in the London Gazette on 5 July 1940.
9.
Jimmy Buckley arrived at the camp with Squadron Leader Roger Bushell, who had been shot down near Calais on 23 May 1940.
10.
Jimmy Buckley was caught heading towards the Baltic on a train near Hann Minden.
11.
Jimmy Buckley took charge of all escaping operations, and was instrumental in a number of escape attempts, including numerous tunnel projects, although he only made one unsuccessful attempt to escape himself.
12.
Jimmy Buckley again helped organise numerous escape attempts, including a daring daylight attempt, when two officers cut through the wire under the noses of the sentries.
13.
Jimmy Buckley had organised elaborate diversions, allowing the escapees to cut through to freedom.
14.
Jimmy Buckley handed over command of the escape organisation at Sagan to Roger Bushell.
15.
Jimmy Buckley was 38 years old when he died, and is commemorated on the Lee-on-the-Solent Memorial.
16.
Jimmy Buckley was posthumously Mentioned in Despatches for his services as a POW.