Frank Buckingham (SN 6236) born in Ballarat, was a 21 year old labourer when he enlisted at Perth on March 21st 1916. He embarked from Fremantle aboard the Suffolk on October 10th on what proved to be a troublesome voyage for him. It appears he had difficulty adapting to military discipline and was charged several times during the voyage for disobeying orders or similar charges. Assigned to the 16th Infantry Battalion he reached France in December destined to be wounded twice during his service. In September 1917 he sustained a shoulder wound and was evacuated to England where a couple of absences without leave and a period of disease meant he did not rejoin his unit until April 1918. In July a thigh wound led to his early return to Australia. He returned to Australia aboard the Runic, disembarked at Fremantle and took his discharge there on December 10th 1918 rather than returning to Victoria as expected.

His brother Robert also served in the AIF and is honoured with a tree in the Avenue.