A 1916 Christmas Day Tragedy

John Chaffer Buckley was a fulling miller, he had finished work for the Christmas period, it was 1916, war raged in Europe, but John who was born in Norden was going to enjoy the Christmas festivities.

The 1911 census gives us a snapshot of the family at that time, living at 14 Gordon Street, Newhey;

John Buckley, head of the household, aged 36, fulling miller, born in Norden.
Emily Buckley, wife, aged 35, born in Norden.
Edna Buckley, daughter, aged 11.
Lena Buckley, daughter, aged 9.
Rose Buckley, daughter, aged 7.
Harry Buckley, son, aged 3.
Sarah Ashworth, John's 60 year old mother in law also lived with the family.

John and Emily had been married for 12 years at this point, they'd had 5 children, 1 of which had passed away, another child, 

Phyllis was born to the couple in 1913.

Rose died aged 11, in July 1915.

Alan would be born to the couple in early 1916.

Christmas Day 1916, John left home at 104 Shaw Road around 11.30am and headed for the Wheatsheaf pub in the Haugh. 

He clearly had a good drink as he didn't return home until 5pm that afternoon.

104 Shaw Road Where John Buckley Died In 1916

Emily said that he'd a lot to drink but wasn't particularly drunk, she made him something to eat and he had a sleep on the sofa.

Around 7.30pm he made his way out again to the Sheaf, Emily asked him not to go but he didn't listen.

Arriving home at around 10pm he was now in a much worse state than before. 

Emily made him a cup of tea and a slice of bread and butter and went upstairs to bed around 11pm. 

On entering the bedroom he said to his wife that he was going back downstairs to sit by the fire.

John misplaced his footing at the top of the stairs, there was no handrail to grab onto, he tumbled head over heels down the steep staircase crashing into a heap at the foot of the stairs.

Emily's mother and Edna managed to put John onto the hearthrug in front of the fire and the doctor sent for immediately. 

It was in vain - John had died around 10 minutes later from a severe concussion.

John was laid to rest in the churchyard of St. Thomas' on December 29th 1916.

13 month old Alan Buckley passed away in February 1917, he was laid to rest alongside his father.

Emily Buckley lived to the age of 63, she passed away in 1939, she had never remarried after John's death, she became heavily involved with Newhey Methodist Church, she was survived by 3 daughters, Edna, Lena and Phyllis and her son Harry.