Extracts and Comments
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Murray: Corporal 13.1.1900, Sergeant 8.5.1901 severely wounded at Swartz Kopjes 13.2.1901.
B5172: North Quay Qld.
URL2: age 28 with 1 year 27 days war service returned to Brisbane per 'Tongariro' arrived 3.5.1901 discharged 17.5.1901, wounded behind right ear.
URL4: photo #40.
URL5: DEATH OF MR. BUCHANAN. In connection with the death of Mr. WS BUCHANAN, which appeared in the 'Post' telegrams on Tuesday [16.11.1909], the Townsville "Bulletin" states - "The deceased gentleman was 37 years of age and was the eldest son of Mr. D BUCHANAN of Buchanan's Hotel. He was born at Mackay but came to Townsville as an infant and spent his boyhood days here; was educated at the Brisbane Grammar School - Nundah College, and afterwards at Kelly's College, London. Returning to Queensland, he served his articles in the office of Messrs Roberts, Leu and Barnett, afterwards going to the office of the Crown Solicitor in Brisbane (Mr.
GILL) and was admitted as a solicitor in August, 1899. The Boer war being then on he joined the Second Queensland Contingent, and went to South Africa, serving as a corporal first and was subsequently made sergeant, and held the Queen's medal with four clasps. During his term with the contingent in South Africa he saw a good deal of active service, being present at the advance on Bloemfontein, the capture of Johannesburg, the occupation of Pretoria and the subsequent advance on Barberton. Whilst on service by the fortune of war he came in for a good deal of hard luck, being shot in the head near Belfast, in the Transvaal in February 1901, and also during the campaign broke some bones in his hand and had an attack of enteric fever. Returning to Queensland in May, 1901. he again went into the Crown Solicitor's office in Brisbane, but a few months later came to Townsville and Joined Mr. LC WILSON in the firm of ?Meads, Hobbs, Wilson and Buchanan. After spending about a year in Townsville as a member of the firm he left again for Johannesburg, but returning again about five years ago began the practice of his profession on his own account, carrying on very successfully until the early close of his career by death."
URL6: LETTER FROM Q.M.S. BRUCE. BOERS "FIGHTING LIKE BLAZES." Lieutenant GL CHRYSTAL has received the following letter from Quarter Master-sergeant WC BRUCE, of the 2nd Queensland contingent which has been on active service in South Africa. The letter, which was written at Belfast, under date 15th February [1901], is as follows - We were suddenly ordered here last Sunday from Kaapsche Hoop to join a column under General KITCHENER (the Sirdar's brother), which was leaving Belfast on the 12th instant. We went out, and stirred up a hornet's nest. There must have been 5,000 Boers, and they chased the column back a good deal quicker than it went out. You see, they outflanked our fellows, and they had to retire or be surrounded. Our chaps were rearguard, and behaved very well, Captain HARRIS being complimented by the GOC. The brunt of the attack naturally fell on the rearguard. Corporal BUCHANAN was shot through the head, and Private W SECCOMBE through this thigh. Captain HARRIS's horse was shot through the neck and CORCORAN's and LOCKER's horses (illegible). Privates WILSON, HOLMES and RAWSON were captured helping Corporal BUCHANAN into the ambulance, also the doctor, and we haven't heard of them since. So you see they got into a pretty warm corner. Private HAMER, of the 2nd QMI, behaved very gallantly, saving a Tommy's life under a tremendous fire. He has been recommended for it.
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