Eight: Major-General A. G. B. Buchanan, Royal Engineers, who served as Officer Commanding, 144th Army Troops Company, R.E., during the Great War, being twice Mentioned in Despatches, and as Director of Fortifications and Works during the Second War, for which service he was awarded the American Legion of Merit

1914-15 Star (Capt. A. G. B. Buchanan. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. A. G. B. Buchanan.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued, all mounted court-style as worn; United States of America, Legion of Merit, Commander’s neck badge, unnamed as issued, with neck riband, and full and miniature width lapel riband bars, in fitted case of issue, nearly extremely fine (8) £500-£700

United States Legion of Merit, Commander London Gazette 14 November 1947.
The original citation states: ‘Major General S. G. B. Buchanan, T.E., M.Inst., R.E. ASN P/1628, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service on behalf of the United States Army, as Director of Fortifications and Works, from September 1942 to June 1943. Major General Buchanan provided liaison between United States Forces and the British War Ministry in all matters pertaining to the construction of ground projects in the United Kingdom and the procurement of construction materials needed therefor. General Buchanan’s energetic co-operation and skilful support and guidance assured the timely provision of adequate accommodations for American Forces in the United Kingdom.’

Alan George Bigham Buchanan was born in Chatham, Kent, on 17 December 1886 and was educated at Bradfield College and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. Commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on 25 July 1906, he was promoted Lieutenant on 22 November 1908, and during 1912-13 travelled throughout Hong Kong, China, Korea, and Japan, passing a colloquial test in Cantonese. Promoted Captain on 30 October 1914, he served as Officer Commanding 144th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers during the Great War on the Western Front from 6 October 1915, and was appointed a Staff Officer (with the temporary rank of Major) from 7 April 1917. He left his unit suffering from sickness on 28 July 1918, and spent the rest of the War recuperating at home. For his services during the Great War he was twice Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 4 January 1917 and 11 December 1917).

Post-War, Buchanan was appointed a Staff Captain at the War Office on 24 September 1919, and was promoted Major on 1 April 1924. He saw further service in north China, in Tientsin, 1925-28, and having returned to the U.K. was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 24 September 1930, and Colonel on 24 September 1934. He served as Assistant Director of Fortifications and Works at the War Officer from October 1936 to June 1939, and then as Deputy Director of the Territorial Army (Works), with the temporary rank of Brigadier, from 15 June 1939.

Buchanan saw further service at home during the Second World War, firstly as Chief Engineer, Northern Command, from 18 December 1939, and then as Director of Fortifications and Works, with the temporary rank of Major-General, from 22 September 1941. Following the United States of America’s entry into the War, and the U.S. Army’s arrival in Europe, he served as Engineer Advisor to the U.S. Army, for which services he was awarded the American Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander), one of only 204 such awards made to British personnel for service during the Second World War. He retired with the honorary rank of Major-General on 26 August 1943.

In later life Buchanan served as Assistant General Secretary of the Church of England Men’s Society from 1953-57, and also published a semi-autobiographical book about religion entitled ‘Seeking a City, A Pilgrimage’ under the pseudonym Alan George. He also contributed various technical papers to the Institute of Civil Engineers (of which body he was elected a Fellow). He died on 24 February 1971.

Sold together with the recipient’s five pre-Second War miniature awards, mounted as worn; two card identity tags ‘Col. Alan G. B. Buchanan C. of E.’, with two crucifixes and a religious charm; General Officer’s cap band complete with badge; another General Officer’s cap badge; three pairs of Staff Officer collar tabs (two pairs with E.VIII.R. buttons and one pair with G.VI.R. buttons); two Royal Engineers buttons; a wooden shield of the 144th (Army Troops) Company, Royal Engineers from the Great War; a copy of the recipient’s book ‘Seeking a City, A Pilgrimage’; and copied research and other ephemera relating to both the recipient and his daughter, including a photographic image of the recipient.