Frederick James Buchan

Frederick James Buchan, the son of James Frederick BUCHAN &Margaret MURDOCH was born at Boort, Victoria, in 1898. He later moved toMelbourne with his family. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 13 July 1915 aged 18 years & 3 months. As he was under age he obtained his mothers' permission to enlist for war service. (1) Prior to enlisting at Springvale he was a trainee member of the Citizens Force, the 45th Infantry, Dandenong, Victoria. At the time of enlistment he was described as a "labourer".

On 16 October 1915 he enlisted at Melbourne & proceeded to Puckapunyal near Seymour. in Melbourne. In can't have been too good inSeymour as in a letter he said "even Cairo was an improvement on seymour". On 12 November 1915 he was posted to "C" Squadron Light horse Seymour where he remained until 28 January 1916 when he was posted to the 15th Reinforcements 4th Light Horse Regiment, also based at Seymour(Puckapunyal) Victoria. Being under 21 years he required & obtained the consent of his mother Margaret to proceed on active service overseas which he did on 8 October 1916.

On 13 March 1916 Fred was with the 15th Reinforcements, 4 Light Horse, at the Intermediate Depot in Egypt, having come by ship with 92 others & 500horses. (He preferred Egypt at Seymour).

He stayed with the Aunties in England during his leave. Most likely Aunt Minnie. It is claimed he had a leave pass for London dated 4 July1916 - 6 July 1916.

20 October 1916 Frederick was in France after a short but rough boat trip. Men arriving in France, whether reinforcements or "casuals" - men returning from hospital - proceeded to Base Depots and thence to their units. All drafts - although they had already been passed in England as fully trained - were subjected to further tests laid down by GHQ,comprising, in 1916, at least ten days additional training. A strict medical check was also carried out. Originally at Etaples, the Australian base depots moved to Harfleur, near Le Havre in June 1917, to save shipping time.

The weather in France was getting cold - he is concerned that winter had not yet arrived & how they would cope. On 16 November 1916 Frederick joined the 1st. Infantry Battalion AIF and on 26 December he was promoted to Lance Corporal. (He later reverted to Private at his own request on 29 May 1917.

He was hospitalised due to illness on 26 June 1917 and rejoined his battalion on 7 July 1917.

Wounded in action 10 days after rejoining his battalion Frederick spent 11 weeks in hospital then returned to his battalion once again. The injury was a gunshot wound to the right ankle.

He went on leave to the UK on 12 January 1918, visiting his relatives in Scotland, including Winnie Buchan-Smith. James Buchan-Smith,her brother, recalls meeting Fred when he visited his cousin Winnie inScotland. He recalls Winnie telling him that he, Fred, and Winnie had gone to a cousins farm called Craigdhu near Whithorn to collect eggs, a scarce commodity during WW1, the eggs broke on the way home. (Source:Letter from James BUCHAN-SMITH)

Not returning from leave he was classified AWOL. Upon returning he spent 6 days awaiting trial, 11 February 1918, which resulted in 40 days in the Field Police Compound & the loss 61 days pay as punishment. As a result he requested that he revert to the rank of Private which he did. Frederick surrendered to the Australian Headquarters Administrative Guard at 2.50am on 4 february 1918.

Frederick returned to his unit on 23 March & was killed in action on 1 May 1918 he was supposedly buried at Le Roukloshille Military Cemetery 3.75 miles NW of Bailleul, France. Killed by a shot received in the heart, the bullet passed through the Bible in his pocket. (Bible in possession of Bruce Buchan). The possessions of Frederick also included a Christmas card from a Dorothy (unknown) whose address was given at Ballarat, Victoria.

It is believed that he was the only soldier killed that day at the place of his death.

Military records note that a Memorial Cross is erected in Meteren War Cemetery. A photograph of this & three of his grave was sent to his mother Margaret.

On a visit to France in November 2000 (by his great-nephew Robert Buchan) it was discovered that there is no cemetery of any type at Le Roukloshille - statement by locals & unknown in Bailleul. A visit to three local cemeteries did not locate his grave. Each cemetery has a detailed list of the dead enclosed in a brass box. Upon return of his effects to his mother Margaret he was recorded as Lance Corporal.

Among his listed effects returned to his mother was a gold watch. His brother Edward (Ted) had a gold pocket watch now (believed to be the same) which was in possession of Robert William Buchan, Frederick's great nephew. This watch is now in possession of Brook Buchan who is Frederick's second great nephew.

(1) Letter - Margaret BUCHAN