Thomas Watts Buchanan

First Name: 
Thomas
Middle Name: 
Watts
Last Name: 
Buchanan
Mother's Name: 
Emma Buchanan nee Watts
Father's Name: 
George Buchanan
Date Enlisted: 
Tuesday, January 4, 1916
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Private
Unit: 
53rd Battalion
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
British War Medal
Victory Medal
1914/1915 Star
Date of Death: 
Tuesday, October 31, 1944
Place of Death: 
Sydney, NSW
Cause of Death: 
Accident
Details: 

Thomas Buchanan (Service no 5654) was born in Bulli, NSW in 1895.

At the time of enlistment Thomas was single, 21 years of age, employed as a miner, resided in CorrimalNSW and had previously served 4 years with 37th infantry Militia.

Thomas embarked on HMAT A55 - Kyarra with the 1st Battalion, 18th Reinforcements on 3 June 1916.  He arrived in England on 3 August 1916 and then France on 30 September 1916.  Thomas was transferred to the 53rd Battalion and joined the Unit in the field on 16 October 1916.

Thomas saw service on the Western Front until 30 March 1917 when he was wounded in action.  He was evacuated to hospital in England for treatment of gun shot wounds to his right ankle, right upper arm and chest. 

Thomas repatriated to Australia in February 1918 and medically discharged on 19 April 1918.

In 1918 Thomas married Lily Jamieson and together they had 2 children.

Thomas died accidentally in Sydney, NSW in 1944 and is remembered on the Corrimal Public School Roll of Honour.

Thomas's brother Richard George Buchanan (Service no 1992) also served.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, BUCHANAN T W