Record#

Page type: Research note · Topic: names and identity · Version: 1.1.0 (20 Oct 2026) · Editing Protocol

Name standard on this wiki. The elder woman is Mary (Nancy) Williams, formerly Buckler (as Frederick’s wife: Mary (Nancy) Buckler née Williams), 10 Aug 1913 – 26 Mar 1983. Her youngest daughter is Mary Buckler (later Godfrey). An older daughter, born 1940, was also registered Mary.

Question. Was there ever a time when two women in the household could both be called “Mary Buckler”? Or did the name pass from mother to daughter when the elder Mary went back to Williams? If so, a paper naming “Mary Buckler” or “Mrs Buckler” could point at the wrong woman. This needs settling before the point is used in any legal step. Our case, prospective.

Short answer from the records read so far. Yes: there were two such periods, and the second one may reach the 1974 licence letters. The family’s copies of the 31 October 1974 letters are addressed to “Mary Buckler” (image SOURCE PENDING). The Court of Appeal describes the same letters as “addressed to Mrs Buckler (described again as Mrs Williams)”, and the 1974 court action named her “Mrs Williams”. By October 1974 the youngest daughter had been Mrs Godfrey for two years. So “Mary Buckler” on the letters means either the elder woman, under the married name she never formally dropped (her 1983 death is indexed under both Buckler and Williams), or the older daughter Mary, born 1940, if she was then still unmarried. Her marriage is not yet confirmed from a record. For the 1982–83 first registrations, it is not yet known whether any occupier is named at all.

Name and status timeline#

  • 10 Aug 1913 — Event: Mary Doreen (Nancy) Williams born, daughter of John and Esther Williams · Name used in the record: Mary Doreen Williams · Source: Date of birth printed in the GRO death index, Mar qtr 1983, S. Glamorgan 28/3029 (FreeBMD transcription of the GRO index (freebmd.org.uk)). The archive card D/D XJF 64/30 gives “about 1910”; the Daily Telegraph, 16 Apr 1974, gives her age as 60. · Status: Documented

  • 5 Aug 1936 — Event: Marries Frederick Buckler at Llandough · Name used in the record: Mrs Mary (Doreen) Buckler · Source: Marriage index Sep qtr 1936, East Glamorgan 11a 1989 (FreeBMD transcription of the GRO index (freebmd.org.uk)); Western Mail 5 Aug 1936 (EV-0230) · Status: Documented

  • 1937–1954 — Event: Seven children, all registered Buckler, mother’s maiden name Williams: two sons and five daughters · Name used in the record: — · Source: Birth index, East Glamorgan, 1937–1954 (FreeBMD transcription of the GRO index (freebmd.org.uk)) · Status: Documented

  • Dec qtr 1937 — Event: Eldest son born, also named Frederick · Name used in the record: Frederick Buckler (the son) · Source: Birth index, East Glamorgan 11a 1063 (FreeBMD transcription of the GRO index (freebmd.org.uk)). That he is the eldest son “Buckee” of the cousin’s recollection is confirmed by the family (Oct 2026): ‘Bucky’ is Frederick J., the elder son. · Status: Documented / Confirmed by the family (Oct 2026)

  • Dec qtr 1940 — Event: An older daughter born and registered Mary Buckler · Name used in the record: Mary Buckler (the first) · Source: Birth index, East Glamorgan 11a 1724 (FreeBMD transcription of the GRO index (freebmd.org.uk)). Her later married name is not yet confirmed. · Status: Documented

  • 25 Aug 1948 — Event: William (Billy) Buckler born, the later defendant · Name used in the record: William Buckler · Source: Court of Appeal, BP Properties Ltd v Buckler [1987] EWCA Civ 2 (BAILII); birth index Sep qtr 1948, East Glamorgan 8b 494 · Status: Documented

  • Mar qtr 1954 — Event: Youngest daughter born and registered Mary Buckler: Mary Buckler (later Godfrey) · Name used in the record: Mary Buckler (the second) · Source: Birth index, East Glamorgan 8b 462 (FreeBMD transcription of the GRO index (freebmd.org.uk)). Fits Western Mail 27 Nov 1959, “Mary Butler, aged five … Great House Farm” (EV-0229) and the family memory of an Aunt Mary born in the 1950s. · Status: Documented

  • 1955 — Event: The elder Mary is in the farmhouse when possession of the rest of the farm is taken · Name used in the record: “Mrs Mary Buckler (daughter of Mr Williams, wife of Mr Frederick Buckler …)” · Source: Court of Appeal, BP Properties Ltd v Buckler [1987] EWCA Civ 2 (BAILII) · Status: Documented

  • 1958 — Event: Press reports her objections · Name used in the record: “Mrs Mary Doreen Buckler of Great House Farm” · Source: Western Mail, 1958 (EV-0035) · Status: Documented

  • By 1959 — Event: Also known as Mrs Williams · Name used in the record: “Mrs Mary Buckler, who was also from time to time referred to as Mrs Williams” · Source: Court of Appeal, BP Properties Ltd v Buckler [1987] EWCA Civ 2 (BAILII) · Status: Documented

  • Late 1958 — Event: Eldest son Frederick comes of age (21) · Name used in the record: — · Source: Inference from the birth quarter · Status: Inference

  • Late 1961 — Event: Older daughter Mary comes of age (21) · Name used in the record: — · Source: Inference from the birth quarter · Status: Inference

  • Dec qtr 1962 — Event: Eldest son Frederick marries · Name used in the record: — · Source: Marriage index, East Glamorgan 8b 487 (FreeBMD transcription of the GRO index (freebmd.org.uk)) · Status: Documented

  • 2 Mar 1965 — Event: Weekly tenancy of the farmhouse offered to her; not signed · Name used in the record: “Mrs Williams” (wiki citation of the agents’ letter); the CA records the March 1965 offer as made to “Mrs Buckler” · Source: Court of Appeal, BP Properties Ltd v Buckler [1987] EWCA Civ 2 (BAILII); Mary (Nancy) Williams page · Status: Documented (offer) / SOURCE PENDING (letter wording)

  • Mar qtr 1967 — Event: Frederick Buckler (the father) dies, aged 58 · Name used in the record: widow · Source: Death index, East Glamorgan 8b 364 (FreeBMD transcription of the GRO index (freebmd.org.uk)). The CA gives “some time in the period 1965–67”; an estate paper gives Dec 1965. · Status: Documented

  • 1969 — Event: The family dates her return to the name Williams to about 1969 · Name used in the record: Mary (Nancy) Williams · Source: No deed poll or other notice found in the London Gazette 1936–1995 (thegazette.co.uk full-text search). A woman could resume her maiden name by use alone, so no notice is needed. The record shows Williams in use from at least 1965, and Buckler still in the 1983 death index. · Status: SOURCE PENDING

  • 25 Aug 1969 — Event: William comes of age (21) · Name used in the record: — · Source: Inference · Status: Inference

  • 31 Dec 1969 — Event: WGR sells Parcel B, plus an interest in the 1962 order on Parcel A, to BP Pension Trust Ltd (our case: not the whole farm) · Name used in the record: — · Source: Court of Appeal, BP Properties Ltd v Buckler [1987] EWCA Civ 2 (BAILII) (“December 1969”); conveyance not yet held · Status: Documented / SOURCE PENDING

  • 1 Jan 1970 — Event: Age of majority falls from 21 to 18 (Family Law Reform Act 1969, s.1) · Name used in the record: — · Source: legislation.gov.uk · Status: Documented

  • c. Dec 1971 – Mar 1972 — Event: Mary Buckler (later Godfrey) turns 18 · Name used in the record: Mary Buckler (adult) · Source: Inference from the birth quarter · Status: Inference

  • Jun qtr 1972 — Event: Mary Buckler marries Mr Godfrey and becomes Mary Godfrey · Name used in the record: Mary Godfrey · Source: Marriage index, East Glamorgan 8b 593 (a second transcription reads “Godrey”, 8b 674) (FreeBMD transcription of the GRO index (freebmd.org.uk)) · Status: Documented

  • 16 Apr 1974 — Event: Press: “Mrs Mary Williams, 60”, a widow, living there with her son, a daughter, a son-in-law and two grandsons · Name used in the record: Mrs Mary Williams · Source: Daily Telegraph (1974 Licence Letters, GHF-E090-N03) · Status: Documented

  • 1974 — Event: County court action for possession against her and family members · Name used in the record: “Mrs Buckler (sued as Mrs Williams)” · Source: Court of Appeal, BP Properties Ltd v Buckler [1987] EWCA Civ 2 (BAILII) · Status: Documented

  • 31 Oct 1974 — Event: The two licence letters · Name used in the record: “Mary Buckler” on the family’s copies; the Court of Appeal describes them as “addressed to Mrs Buckler (described again as Mrs Williams)” · Source: Family-held letters (image SOURCE PENDING); Court of Appeal, BP Properties Ltd v Buckler [1987] EWCA Civ 2 (BAILII); the letters themselves are not yet held · Status: Documented (recital) / SOURCE PENDING (letter image)

  • 30 Nov 1982 · 23 Feb 1983 — Event: First registrations WA231076 and WA240304 · Name used in the record: not yet known whether any occupier is named · Source: EV-0161; HMLR file item 11 (Form 1C) awaited · Status: SOURCE PENDING

  • 26 Mar 1983 — Event: The elder Mary dies at the farmhouse · Name used in the record: Death indexed under both “BUCKLER, Mary Doreen” and “WILLIAMS, Mary Doreen”, same date of birth, same reference · Source: GRO death index, Mar qtr 1983, S. Glamorgan 28/3029, two entries (FreeBMD transcription of the GRO index (freebmd.org.uk)); EV-0067 · Status: Documented

When two women could each be “Mary Buckler”#

  • A — Dates: Dec qtr 1940 → the older daughter’s marriage (date not yet confirmed; possibly 1962) · Who: The elder Mary (Mrs Buckler) and the older daughter Mary Buckler · Note: The daughter was a minor until late 1961 (majority then 21).

  • B — Dates: Mar qtr 1954 → Jun qtr 1972 · Who: The elder Mary and the younger daughter, Mary Buckler (later Godfrey) · Note: The daughter was an adult “Mary Buckler” for only a few months: from her 18th birthday (c. Dec 1971 – Mar 1972) to her marriage (Apr – Jun 1972).

  • A + B — Dates: Mar qtr 1954 → about Dec 1962 · Who: Three Marys: the mother and both daughters · Note: Both daughters were children for most of it.

  • After Jun qtr 1972 — Dates: — · Who: The younger daughter was Mrs Godfrey. The older daughter Mary (born 1940) still carried the name only if unmarried; her marriage is not yet confirmed. · Note: The elder woman was then named “Mrs Williams” in the 1974 action and letters, and is still indexed under Buckler at her death in 1983. After 1972 the questions are: was the older daughter still “Mary Buckler”, and which name did each paper use for the elder woman, who had two surnames?

Documents checked against the windows#

  • 4 Jul 1955: possession of the farm, except the farmhouse — Name used: “Mrs Mary Buckler”, with her parentage, husband and son given · Who is meant: The elder Mary · Window: A + B (daughters aged about 14 and 1) · Confusion possible?: No

  • 1958 press reports — Name used: “Mrs Mary Doreen Buckler” · Who is meant: The elder Mary · Window: A + B · Confusion possible?: No (title and middle name)

  • 27 Nov 1959 press report — Name used: “Mary Butler, aged five” · Who is meant: The younger daughter (inference) · Window: A + B · Confusion possible?: —

  • 29 Mar 1961: deed on the WA231076 file (contents unknown) — Name used: not known · Who is meant: not known · Window: A + B; also the years when two adult Frederick Bucklers lived (late 1958 – early 1967) · Confusion possible?: Open: key record

  • 11 Dec 1962: county court possession order — Name used: the CA records it against Mr and Mrs Buckler; order not yet held · Who is meant: The elder Mary · Window: A (the older daughter about 22) · Confusion possible?: Open until the order is read

  • 2 Mar 1965: weekly tenancy offer — Name used: “Mrs Williams” / “Mrs Buckler” · Who is meant: The elder Mary · Window: B (daughter aged 11) · Confusion possible?: No

  • Dec 1969: WGR to BP Pension Trust sale — Name used: not known whether an occupier is named · Who is meant: — · Window: B · Confusion possible?: Open until the conveyance is read

  • 1974 action, 3 Jul 1974 defence — Name used: “Mrs Buckler (sued as Mrs Williams)” · Who is meant: The elder Mary · Window: Not the younger daughter (married 1972) · Confusion possible?: The action used “Williams”; contrast the letters

  • 31 Oct 1974: licence letters — Name used: “Mary Buckler” (family’s copies); “Mrs Buckler (described again as Mrs Williams)” (Court of Appeal) · Who is meant: The elder Mary on the Court of Appeal’s reading; on the face of the letters, either the elder Mary or the older daughter Mary · Window: Open: depends on whether the older daughter was still unmarried in Oct 1974 · Confusion possible?: Open. The letters’ addressee differs from the “Mrs Williams” used in the 1974 action

  • 23 May 1975: BP Pension Trust to BP Properties conveyance — Name used: not known · Who is meant: — · Window: Open (as for the letters) · Confusion possible?: —

  • 30 Nov 1982 / 23 Feb 1983: first registrations — Name used: not known whether any occupier is named · Who is meant: — · Window: Open (as for the letters) · Confusion possible?: Open: HMLR item 11 (Form 1C and its declaration)

  • 1984 writ; 1986 High Court; 1987 Court of Appeal — Name used: “Mrs Buckler”, “Mrs Mary Buckler”, identified as daughter of John Williams and wife of Frederick · Who is meant: The elder Mary · Window: Neither · Confusion possible?: No

Open questions#

  1. The 31 October 1974 letters. The family’s copies are addressed to “Mary Buckler”. The Court of Appeal describes them as “addressed to Mrs Buckler (described again as Mrs Williams)”, and the 1974 action sued her as “Mrs Williams”. Why do the letters use a different name from the action? And which Mary do they name: the elder woman under her married name, or the older daughter Mary, born 1940, if still unmarried? Next step: put an image of the letters on file. The 1974 Licence Letters. SOURCE PENDING

  2. The 1982–83 registrations. Does the Form 1C application or its statutory declaration on WA240304 (HMLR file item 11) name any occupier, and by which name? Requested; the HMLR reply is due 28 Oct 2026. 1983 First Registration. SOURCE PENDING

  3. The deed of 29 March 1961 on the WA231076 file. Who are its parties, and which Mary or which Frederick does it name? SOURCE PENDING

  4. Two Fredericks. The father, Frederick Buckler (died early 1967), and the eldest son, also Frederick (born 1937), were both adults from late 1958 to early 1967. Any paper of those years naming “Frederick Buckler” needs checking for which one it means.

  5. WGR and the eldest son’s interest in Parcel A. A cousin’s written recollection (held privately) is that the eldest son, known as “Buckee”, sold a family land interest through a solicitor, and that his household then left the farm. That was about 1968–69, when the cousin was about four. If the buyer was Western Ground Rents, it must have been before WGR sold to BP Pension Trust on 31 Dec 1969. The son came of age in late 1958. That leaves a window of late 1958 to 31 Dec 1969, most likely 1964–69. Any purchase of the father’s own interest would have to come before his death in early 1967, or from his estate after it; no grant of probate has been found yet. Whether any of this touched Parcel A is not known. SOURCE PENDING

  6. A permissive-occupancy target? Food for thought, not a finding. Could a licence have been aimed at a “Mary Buckler” other than the elder woman, to get round her refusal of every tenancy? The 1965 offer was made to the elder woman. The 1974 letters are addressed to “Mary Buckler” on the family’s copies, while the 1974 action used “Mrs Williams”. If the older daughter Mary (born 1940) was still unmarried in October 1974, the addressee becomes a real question. If she was married, no one of that exact name lived at the farm except the elder woman under her married name. Either way, the letters’ name is a point to put to the record once the image and the older daughter’s marriage are on file.

  7. The older daughter Mary (born 1940). Her married name and the date she stopped being “Mary Buckler” are not yet confirmed from a record.

Records that would settle it#

  • An image of the family’s copies of the two 31 Oct 1974 letters, with any envelope or covering letter from the solicitor.

  • The older daughter Mary’s marriage record (born 1940). Was she still “Mary Buckler” in October 1974?

  • HMLR WA240304 item 11 (Form 1C and its declaration) and the 29 Mar 1961 deed on WA231076 (subject access request, reply due 28 Oct 2026).

  • The elder Mary’s death certificate (GRO, S. Glamorgan 28/3029). It shows the name, or names, the informant gave in 1983.

  • The family’s own record of the youngest daughter’s marriage (1972) and of the older daughter’s marriage. These are family documents; only the family can supply them.

Sources read for this page#

Editor: Sion’s Tab agent, 20 Oct 2026 (updated 20 Oct 2026: “Bucky” confirmed by the family as Frederick J., the elder son).