Buckley was born in Marton, Cheshire, England, to Eliza Buckley, an unmarried woman, and was brought up by his mother's parents in Macclesfield.
Buckley was born in Marton, Cheshire, England, to Eliza Buckley, Buckley had two sisters and one brother. Around the age of six he was brought up by his mother's father in Macclesfield.