Leslie BUCHANAN

Regimental number3714
Place of birthForbes New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationSawyer
AddressCoffs Harbour, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Next of kinFather, C S Buchanan, Sawmill, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales
Enlistment date20 September 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name2nd Battalion, 12th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/19/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A7 Medic on 30 December 1915
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll1st Pioneer Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Distinguished Service Medal


Work from 22 September 1917 to 24 February 1918, especially during Ypres operation.
Recommendation date: 8 March 1918

Meritorious Service Medal


Splendid devotion to duty and personal courage in carrying out re-organisation work and rescue work under heavy fire.
Recommendation date: "Unspecified"

FateReturned to Australia 22 December 1918
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Plaque in New South Wales Garden of Remembrance
Medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was in charge of a working party which came under unusually intense hostile shell fire, and suffered very severe casualties. A connecting party in charge of an officer, who was wounded and evacuated, was working alongside. Sergeant Buchanan took charge of both parties, and setting them a very fine example of personal courage and disregard of danger, maintained them at work and completed the task. He personally dressed many of the wounded, and assisted the stretcher bearers in getting them away.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No.31
Date: 4 March 1919

Date of death14 August 1981