William Samuel BUCHANAN

William Samuel BUCHANAN Update Details

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BUCHANAN, William Samuel

Service Number:	40
Enlisted:	Not yet discovered
Last Rank:	Sergeant
Last Unit:	2nd Queensland Mounted Infantry
Born:	Mackay, Queensland, Australia, 22 January 1872
Home Town:	Townsville, Townsville, Queensland
Schooling:	Brisbane Grammar School, Nundah College, Queensland, Australia and Kelly's College, London
Occupation:	Solicitor
Died:	Appendix operation, Townsville, Queensland, Australia, 15 November 1909, aged 37 years
Cemetery:	West End (Old Townsville) Cemetery, Qld
Memorials:

Boer War Service

1 Oct 1899:	Involvement Private, 40, 2nd Queensland Mounted Infantry
13 Jan 1900:	Promoted Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Corporal, 2nd Queensland Mounted Infantry, AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 460 notes promoted to Corporal 13 Jan 1900.
13 Feb 1901:	Wounded Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Corporal, 40, 2nd Queensland Mounted Infantry, AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 460 notes severely wounded at Swartz Kopjes on 13 Feb 1901.
8 May 1901:	Promoted Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Sergeant, 2nd Queensland Mounted Infantry, AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 460 notes promoted to Sergeant 8 May 1901.
17 May 1901:	Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Sergeant, 40, 2nd Queensland Mounted Infantry, National Archives Australia- Boer War Dossier notes returned to Australia aboard Tongariro arriving Brisbane 3 May 1901, discharged 17 May 1901.

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Biography contributed by Claude McKelvey

William Samuel Buchanan was born on 22 Jan 1872 at Mackay, Queensland, a son to David Buchanan and Jane Buchanan (nee Loudon). As a child the family moved to Townsville where his father became proprietor of Buchanan's Hotel.

He was educated first at Brisbane Grammar School-Nundah College and subsequently at Kelly's College, London. He served his articles to become a solicitor with Messrs. Roberts, Leu and Barnett in Townsville. He later became a partner in the law firm Hobbs, Willson and Buchanan which still continues in part as Wilson Ryan Grose Lawyers in Townsville.

He was a sportsman excelling in rugby, middle distance running and swimming. During his service in the South African (Boer) War he was severely wounded when he was shot in the head. It was however, a recurring problem with appendicitis that would bring about his passing having endured three operations over three years the last of which he did not recover from.

(sources- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray, p. 460; National Archives Australia- Boer War Dossier; various newspaper reports, see links).

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