Horning - Some 90 or 100 miles east of Misindi, we came to the town of Butiaba on the shores of Lake Albert. There I met a crusty old Britisher by the name of Buckler - Commander Buckler, if you please - Assistant Superintendent of the Marine. With a Sunday smile and my best manners, I told him I would like to charter one of his boats and leave about one or two o'clock. It was ten am. Commander Buckler looked at me as if I were merely a variation of some insect species, smiled pleasantly, too pleasantly, and then began to talk. As he began to talk, I began to get smaller and smaller. He had met many Americans - Americans who thought the rest of the world was merely an annex to the good old United States, and the rest of humanity a mere attache. Mr Buckler - pardon me, Commander Buckler - resented the breed, the imputation, the manner, and sight of Americans. He started in so pleasantly by saying, "Young man, this part of Africa is a protectorate of Great Britain, a nation almost as important as America. Great Britain has a King. On this lake, I have three boats that are contracted to carry the King's mail, and if one of them fails in that contract, the King gets quite stuffy, you know. Or perhaps you could persuade His Majesty that yourself and your business are of far greater importance. In that event, of course, I can let you have a boat in a week or two, and it will cost you money." Now I ask you: How would you answer something like that? Nothing would have given me greater pleasure at that moment than to have punched him right on the nose and gone to some African "hoose-gow" for the rest of my life. Fortunately I had Dickinson with me, who is not only a great hunter, but one of the most diplomatic individuals I had ever met. As he was English, he was not so objectionable to Buckler - pardon me, Commander Buckler. Easily he led Buckler into conversation. By degrees, I edged in, always very softly and haltingly, gazing at "Buck" - Commander Buckler - with wide, adoring eyes. I laughed at his stories, every one of them, exhibited a keen interest in his mail contracts, the efficient manner in which he handled this huge marine base and navy of two river boats and one cross between a launch and a canoe. Somehow or other, I dug out a bottle. Four hours later, we were out on the lake with our own chartered steamer, and Commander Buckler himself was along as a pilot. Half an hour later, I was calling him just plain, common Buckler. An hour later, he was in no condition to pilot a canoe and I was affectionately calling him "Buck". And let me add right now from that moment on, he was worth his weight in gold to our organisation. His transportation service never failed us and was always a little ahead of time. He himself turned out to be a great scout. His crust and sarcasm was only a shell-like substance on his exterior, and was easily rubbed away.

Dominion - Public Works Department - Railways - Marine Dept. - Assistant Marine Superintendent - 1930

Red Book 1919 - J O Buckler, RNR - Kisumu

Red Book 1919 - Railway Dept. - Lake Steamer Chief Officer

KAD 1922 - Commander, Lake Steamers

Gazette - Voters List 1936 - John Oswald Buckler, Senior Marine Officer, KUR&H, Nbi and Isa Christine Noelle Buckler, Married woman, Chamberlain Rd., Nbi

Phaleron War Cemetery, Athens Commander J.O. Buckler O.B.E., R.D., R.N.R.,  H.M.S. "Stag" 7th. April 1941 Age 53