Athlete who may have run out of luck in war

DO any of your readers know of a Frank J Buckley, an athlete who competed for Great Britain and Ireland nearly 100 years ago? I am researching the background of international athletes who lost their lives in the first world war, and I have 18 men so far.

One is a Patrick J Roche from Cork who was an Irish sprint champion and died of enteric in Baghdad in 1918.

I am trying to establish if the Frank J Buckley, born in Bandon or Cork city, died in the war.

He certainly competed for Ireland at cross-country four times (1907-1910), his best performance being in 1910 when he finished 12th, helping Ireland take second place in the team event.

He also ran for Great Britain and Ireland in the 1908 Olympic Games in London, but did not finish the steeplechase. His clubs were Haddington Harriers (Ireland) and City & Suburban Harriers.

In Ireland’s Memorial Records 1914-1918 (Dublin, 1923), the following entry relates to a Frank Buckley.

“Buckley, Frank. Reg no. 6623; rank, corporal, Royal Munster Fusiliers, 2nd Batt.

“Killed in action, France, March 22, 1918. Born Bandon, Co Cork.”

I wonder can anyone tell me if Frank J Buckley, the athlete, is one and the same person as the Frank Buckley who was killed in March 1918.

Neil Shuttleworth,

16, New Street,

Broadbottom,

Hyde,

Cheshire SK14 6AN,

England.

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