The Buxton Family

Author Dick Buxton Jr, recently published a book about his paternal grandfather, Sergeant Percival H. B. "Tich" Buxton 1887 - 1951.  Sgt Buxton and his brother were gunners in the Royal Garrison Artillery back in 1906, and were recruited by then Lt. Col. Gwatkin ¹ to come to Canada in 1907 (the so-called “1907 Draft”) to serve in the Royal Canadian Garrison Artillery.  They ended up in Esquimalt, B.C. were the family lived in the Warrant Officer’s House at Fort Rodd Hill (now a national historic site) where the next generation of Buxtons started their lives.

This is where Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) ² Dick Buxton, of the Canadian Airborne Regiment fame was born (Drop Zone Buxton at Edmonton is named after him).  RSM Buxton had seven brothers; all of the brothers served in the Forces for periods of time, with four being career soldiers.

The first Battery Sergeant Major (BSM) ³ of 119 Anti-Aircraft Battery was BSM Ken Buxton.  The unit was established in 1951 at Gordon Head Barracks in Victoria (now the site of University of Victoria). 

Another brother, RSM, Frank Buxton, a proud member of the PPCLI, served as the Pacific Militia Area RSM at the Headquarters in Vancouver, in the mid 80's.

The Buxton family was quite well known in Victoria.   There is a park and boat launching area in Esquimalt named after the famous military Buxton family - Buxton Park.

 

        1. Lt. Col. Gwatkin later became the Canadian Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

        2. RSM stands for the appointment of Regimental Sergeant Major.  Normally the RSM holds the rank of the present day Chief Warrant Officer (CWO)

        3. BSM stands for Battery Sergeant Major. Normally the BSM holds the Canadian forces rank of Master Warrant Officer (MWO).