Born in Cape Town, South Africa, February 11, 1914 Matriculated in the Diocesan College, Rondebosch, Cape Province, 1930
Graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge University, England, 1935
Bachelor of Arts Degree (HONORS) Natural Science Tripos 1935
Horticulture Major, S. E. Agricultural College, Wye, Kent, England 1936
Enrolled University of California Graduate Division, Davis, August 1937
Special Student - Pomology
Withdrew December 1937 to visit Agricultural Cooperative Organizations in California and in New Zealand and Australia
Engaged in Fruit Growing and Horticultural Research at home in Cape Province prior to enlistment.

Military Service

Military History
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Postings

Enlisted in 63rd Air School, Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, 4 April l940.
Assigned to Randfontein Flying Training School Transvaal, 1 July 1940.
Transferred to Service Flying Training School, Kimberley, Cape Province, 9 September 1940. Received his ‘WINGS’, 28 December 1490, and posted to 21st Air School Pilots and Observers Pool, Waterkloof, Transvaal, in the rank of Second Lieutenant.

Active Service Assignments

Assigned to the 66th Air School, Pilots, and Observers Pool, Youngsfield, Cape Province, 6 January 1941. Transferred to the 14th Squadron, Waterkloof Transvaal, 26 February 1941.
Embarked for East Africa, 6 March 1941 and assigned to the 24th Bomber Squadron, arriving at Mombasa, Coast Province, Kenya., East Africa, 12 March 1941.'
The squadron moved to North Africa, 6 March 1941 and commenced operations in the Western Desert. Promoted to First Lieutenant, 28 June 1941.

Lieutenant Buchanan was reported missing in action* 2 July 1941 over Derna, Libia, North Africa.

‘Lieutenant Buchanan was regarded as an exceptionally good pilot and navigator by his associates and noted for keeping his men well and happy. His plane, a Maryland Bomber, with a crew of four, and accompanied by his commanding officer in another plane, left Ciara on 2 July to bomb Derna. They were last seen over the target after dropping their bombs and had turned for home. No plane was listed by the enemy as having been shot down, but when it did not return to its base after the prescribed period of six months, it was presumed to have fallen into the Mediterranean and the members of its crew to have been killed in action on 2 July 1941.’

COMMEMORATED on El Alamein Memorial.