| Buchan | Ernest Norman | | Second Lieutenant | BUCHAN, ERNEST NORMAN, Second Lieutenant, was born in Hampshire 15 February 1879, third son of Colonel H P Buchan, of Lockyer House, Plymouth, and of his wife, St Clair, daughter of General Ireland, Governor of Singapore. Mrs H P Buchan formerly lived in Jersey. Ernest Norman Buchan was educated at Mannamead School, Plymouth; joined the Militia (3rd East Lancashire Regiment), in which he served for one year and a hundred days; was gazetted as Second Lieutenant to the Manchester Regiment from the Militia 4 May 1901; was promoted to Lieutenant, Manchester Regiment, 27 November 1901, and to Captain, Manchester Regiment, 1 December 1912. Captain Buchan served in the South African War from 1899 to 1902; as Acting Transport Officer from 20 April, 190?, taking part in the operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including the action at Karee Siding and the operations in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's South African Medal with three clasps, the King's South African Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Ernest Norman Buchan, Second Lieutenant, 3rd East Lancashire Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He was invested with the Insignia of the Distinguished Service Order by His Majesty King Edward VII on the 24th of October 1902. From 12 September 1904 to 2 December 1904, he was Garrison Adjutant, Straits Settlements, Singapore, and he was subsequently stationed at Secunderabad and in the Punjab. On the 25th of September 1914, he proceeded to France, being appointed Brigade Major, 27th Brigade, 11th Division, in August 1915. He was killed in action, during the Battle of Loos, at the Quarries, Hulloch, on the 25th of September following. At first he was only said to be 'missing', but was later 'presumed to have been killed'. Captain Buchan was mentioned in Despatches by Field Marshal Sir John French [London Gazette, 1 January 1916], for gallant and distinguished service in the field. He married, at Singapore, Kythe Elizabeth Graeme, daughter of William Graeme St Clair, of Singapore, and had two sons: Philip William, born 12 August 1905 and Norman Ireland, born 24 April, 1907, both at Wellington, Nilgiri Hills, India.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | East Lancashire Regiment |
