Cecil William Buckley was 24 years old and a junior lieutenant in The Royal Navy during The Crimean War.On the 29th of May 1855 in The Sea of Azov,Buckley ,during hostilities landed in the town of Genitchi with Lieutenant Hugh Burgoyne and John Roberts gunner,volunteered to land alone at a beech where the Enemy army was in strength.With stealth and caution and out of reach of the protection of their own ships they crept to the enemies ammunition dumps and corn stores which they set alight.While returning they were besett by Cossacks who cut of their retreat,but after substantial perils they gained their boat and this enabled them to return to their boat.
Cecil William Buckley also rendered similar services at Taganrog,which town was occupied by three thousand enemy troops.Buckley was accompanied in this desperate mission by Henry Cooper,Boatswain and also volunteers who manned the boat.Buckley and Cooper repeatedly landed and fired different stores and goverment buildings,despite being under enemy fire and allaying attempts to capture them they managed to return to their ship,the Miranda,havingrendered eminent service to the fleet.
Hugh Talbot Burgoyne,senior Lieutenant of the Swallows,John Roberts and Henry Cooper,Boatswain,were also all decorated with the Victoria Cross for their parts in the affair.
Cecil William Buckley V C