BUCHANAN, Robert MM (1892-1969)
Robert Buchanan was born on 28 August 1892, the son of Andrew Buchanan and Frances nee Martin, of 'Glen Eira', Flinders.
He was educated at Geelong College from 1906 until 1909, and Scotch College in 1910. He participated in the Cadet Corps of both schools, as well as seven months in Captain Rushall’s Cadets.
After the outbreak of World War I, he enlisted (6535) in the AIF on 28 May 1915, embarking for Egypt on HMAT A18 Wiltshire on 18 November 1915 with the 4th Field Artillery Brigade. His unit was then posted on to France in March, where he served until the end of the war, being awarded the Military Medal at Passchendaele, gazetted 4 February 1918, the citation read:
'On 14 October, 1917 near Zonnebeke, Lt Andrews with Sergeant Buchanan were assisting with the advance of the two guns to their forward position after the attack. The officer was wounded, Sergeant Buchanan, under heavy shell fire, at once took charge and by his work, determination and example completed the work of getting both guns into their advanced position. This is but one example of the sterling service and conduct of this NCO throughout the recent operations'.
He was wounded in action on 1 November, 1917, and evacuated to England on HS Newhaven on 8 November, being admitted to Colchester Military Hospital the next day. He returned to Australia, embarking on HMT Saxon on 11 December 1918, and demobilised on 6 April 1919.
He died at Nagambie on 14 January 1969.
Sources: Based on an edited extract from Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck. p.144 (citing Pegasus; Australian War Memorial; National Archives).