Larkin Watson Buckland, known to most as “Buddy” was born in Bluefield, West Virginia, Mercer County and resided his early years at 1505 Highland Avenue. He retired from the Norfolk and Western Railroad 1/24/1980 as an engineer after 40 years of service beginning 10/12/1940 on Pennsylvania Railroad and 12/3/1942, Norfolk & Western Railway. He was previously a coal miner; a barber, attending Kel-Roe Barber College on High Street in Columbus, Ohio.
Buddy’s mother Mary Jane Davidson said that Larkin Watson Buckland, Sr.’s name was Larkin Watson Haynes Buckland. Thus, to L.W.Jr. which subsequently was pinned to the Railroader’s oldest son Ellis Haynes Buckland.