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Francis Buckley's love of archaeology was spurred by the most unusual of circumstances - digging trenches on the Western Front during the Great War.

Frances served as an observer on the front line, sketching enemy positions. His commanding officer happened to be interested in prehistoric archaeology and as a result Francis became fascinated by the Neolithic tooled flints that were unearthed as the men dug for protection from German snipers and artillery.

After the war, Francis decided to return to the family home in Greenfield and live off the inheritance he received after his father's death, rather than continue to work as a barrister in London. Once there, he dedicated himself to the pursuit of archaeology and, despite having no formal training, he became a notable expert in the field.

He set about mapping the presence of early people in the Pennines and discovered many Mesolithic (mid Stone Age) finds. During what became known as his 'flinting trips', he was said to look like a hobo; his tools slung over his shoulder in an old sack and his old overcoat wrapped round him as protection against the elements on expeditions which could see him walking up to 30 miles in a day.

Eager to spread his knowledge, the spoils of the trips were not kept for Francis' own collection but given to museums in Oldham and Huddersfield.

Location: Oldham Museum, Oldham OL1 1AL
Image: Francis Buckley, courtesy of Oldham Museum Service

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