Desmond Buckle

James Desmond Buckle (29 March 1910 – 25 October 1964) was a political activist and journalist born in the British colony of the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana). Described as "an African communist in Britain",[1][2][3] he may have been the first African to join the British Communist Party.[4]

He was the second of five children born to wealthy lawyer Vidal James Buckle and his wife Ellen Konadu Buckle, a member of the prominent Bannerman family.[4] Desmond was educated in Britain at Truro College, Cornwall, and in 1928 entered University College, London, to study medicine, but did not complete his studies.[4] He became increasingly active in various political organizations, including the League of Coloured Peoples, the Gold Coast Students' Association and the Negro Welfare Association and in the 1930s became the first West African to join the Communist Party of Great Britain.[4] He contributed regularly to such publications as the Daily Worker and Labour Monthly.

Buckle died of stomach cancer at St George's Hospital in London, and his ashes were buried at Highgate cemetery.[4]