Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James Buchanan served twice in the South African (Boer) War, first as a Private S.N. 302 in the 3rd Queensland Mounted Infantry, and second as a Private S.N. 641 in the 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen. He was discharged from his second service while still in South Africa so that he could remain in South Africa for employment. (source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 473 and 518; Trove Digitised Newspapers, The Brisbane Courier, 16 May 1902).

James Buchanan served twice in the South African (Boer) War. First service was as a Private S.N. 302 in the 3rd Queensland Mounted Infantry. Second service was as as a Private S.N. 641 in the 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen (1st Draft).

When he joined the 3rd QMI in 1900 and he was entered in the original nominal roll of the 3rd Queensland Contingent, held by National Archives, his contact address was Clyde Hotel, Strathpine. In the Boer War Service Paybooks for the 3rd QMI, Bk 1 p. 54, it is noted he directed part of his pay to Mrs. M. Hosier, Clyde Hotel, Strathpine. He served the full tour of the 3rd QMI and was discharged in Brisbane 20 Jun 1901.

Not long after he was selected in the First Draft of the 6th QIB and embarked again for South Africa in Aug 1901. The members of the draft mainly consisted of men who had served in previous contingents in South Africa and were assembled as reinforcements for the 5th and 6th QIB contingents already in South Africa.

Men in the draft were not recorded in the original nominal roll for the 6th QIB. He was however, recorded in the Boer War Service Paybooks for the 5th QIB (to which he was allotted), Bk 4 p. 79, where it was noted he directed part of his pay to his sister Mrs. Margaret Hosier, North Pine. 

The Brisbane Courier, 16 May 1902, notes when the 5th QIB embarked to return to Australia that, S.N. 641, Private Jas Buchanan, was discharged for employment in South Africa on 26 Mar 1902. He remained in South Africa where he had found work in a government position of prison gaoler and had only recently retired and returned to Brisbane before he passed in 1922.

James Buchanan was born on 28 Jul 1866 in Brisbane, a son to James Buchanan and Margaret Buchanan (nee McInnis). Following his passing in 1922 an obituray was published in The Brisbane Courier, 25 Mar 1922, as transcribed below.

Obituary- The Brisbane Courier, 25 Mar 1922, p. 18.

Mr. James Buchanan died suddenly from heart failure, at Clontarf, on March 17. The deceased, who was 55 years of age, was the only son of the late Mr. J. Buchanan, for many years host of the Clyde Hotel, Strathpine, when the mail coach plied between Brisbane and Gympie. "Jim" Buchanan had recently returned from the Transvaal, where for 22 years he held a Government position, and after honourable service retired on a pension, hoping to spend his remaining years near his relatives. He served with distinction in the Boer war, receiving the Queen's Medal with four clasps and the King's Medal with two. At one time he was well known in Brisbane boating and athletic circles, where his genial disposition made him very popular. His remains were interred in the Lutwyche cemetery, beside those of his parents. Mesdames Crawford (Bald Hills), Hosier (South Brisbane), and Day (Sydney) are his surviving sisters.

(source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 473 & 518; National Archives Australia- B 5172 Nominal Roll of 3rd Queensland Contingent Queensland Defence Force for service in South Africa, p. 3; Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 3rd QMI, Bk 1 p. 54, and 5th QIB, Bk 4 p. 79).