Desmond Buckle

James Desmond Buckle (29 March 1910 – 25 October 1964) was a political activist, journalist, trade unionist and Communist born in the British colony of the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana). Described as "an African communist in Britain", he may have been the first African to join the British Communist Party.

Early life and family

James Desmond Buckle was born on 29 March 1910 to Vidal James Buckle and Ellen Konadu Buckle in Accra in the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana). On occasion the GCSA was antagonistic to the WASU on various issues Buckle was involved in, such as the dispute over Aggrey House. At this time the GCSA viewed the WASU not as an organisation that represented West African students, but as one dominated by Nigerians. Buckle was a prominent member of the GCSA, being appointed as its secretary from 1936 to 1937 and its president in 1937–38.

Regardless of background, African students, like Buckle, were subject to being treated as second class citizens in Britain, often facing verbal racial abuse and discrimination. In the 1949 conference, Buckle again critiques "monopoly capitalism" as being a major obstacle in the development of colonies. Buckle also worked with the National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL), giving speeches at their conferences, focussing on colonial struggles in Africa and issues of racism in Britain.

Post World War Two, Buckle's activism was mainly concerning trade union movements across the world and working towards international peace.

Buckle continued his journalism working for the Czechoslovak News Agency, as well as the Telegraph Agenecy of the Soviet Union (TASS), focusing his journalism on sport and African affairs. He also wrote for several East German journals: Tägliche Rundshau, Neue Berliner Illustrieterte and Zeit im Bild.

Death

Buckle died of stomach cancer at St George's Hospital in London, aged 54, and his ashes were buried at Highgate Cemetery.

Publications

Imperialist Terror in Kenya, published by World News (1952) Africa in Ferment, published by The Trinity Trust (1953) "Africa in Ferment" by Desmond Buckle, pp. 19–22, Labour Monthly, January 1953 "Civil Liberty in the Empire", Labour Monthly (1941) "North Africa Shakes France", Labour Monthly, April 1958, pp. 175–179 "Colour Bar." World News and Views, November 1942, pp. 453–454