Norman was born 1917 in Oldham, Lancashire, England.  He was  the son of Mrs. Arthur R. Saunders, living in Tilbury, ON.  Norman enlisted in Galt, ON at the age of 23. In November of 1941 he had passed his A Test at Trenton RCAF Navigation School. In July of 1942 Norman was transferred to No.4 Bombing & Gunnery School at Fingal, ON. TT 30/07/42. LAC Buckley was reported on leave from RCAF Trenton to visit his mother.

Norman married in 1944 at St. Francis Church. TT 30/10/41, MGF.

Below is the information of Norman John Buckley as submitted by family members, John, Barry and James Buckley.

Norman John Buckley was born July 8, 1917 in Oldham, Lancashire, England.

Norman’s father, John Buckley first served during WWI with the Lancashire Fusiliers and we can only guess that due to his unit’s heavy casualties, he was transferred to the Suffolk Regiment.  John Buckley was killed in action October 17, 1918 in France, a few weeks before the Armistice of November 11, 1918 leaving Norman’s mother Sarah Thornley a widow with a very young son.

Sarah, looking for a better future for herself and her son, travelled to Canada when Norman was 3 years old. There she met and married Arthur Saunders and settled in Tilbury, Ontario where Norman grew up. While attending high school, he had a job delivering milk and bread and on his route he met the love of his life, Catharine E. Montpetit. Their love story was interrupted by WW2 when Norman signed up with the RCAF, February 14, 1941 at age 23.

He was assigned to become an Aircraft Structural Mechanic and was enrolled in the schools at RCAF Trenton and Galt where he successfully completed his studies. Norman remained in Ontario and travelled between various RCAF training centres where he and his crew repaired and maintained aircraft. He was discharged from the RCAF July 25, 1945.

Almost a year before his discharge he married Catharine on August 22, 1944.

After his discharge from the RCAF, Norman immediately started working as a tire salesman for Hicks Thompson Motors and when they came under new management as Stan Thompson Motors, Norman stayed on and became their car salesman. He was active in the community as a member of the Ad and Sales club, the Jaycees as well as running for council for the Chatham Township.

In 1947 Norman and Catharine welcomed their first son John Wayne Buckley. In 1949, under the VLA (Veterans Land Act) they were able to build a house on Glenwood Dr. where they were surrounded by neighbours similar in age and all who had served in WW2 for Canada. In 1951, they welcomed their second son Barry Michael Buckley.

Norman sadly passed away October 27, 1954 at the age of 37 from cancer.

Norman’s picture at age 23 is the first picture of him in uniform at the beginning of this file as submitted by John Buckley.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

TT (17-11-1941), TT (18-03-1943), John, Barry and James Buckley, Grandsons - Family Source for bio and pics.

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