Kenneth Purdy Buchanan Private F/50171 North Nova Scotia Highlanders, R.C.I.C. July 25, 1920 Truro, Colchester, Co., NS June 14, 1940 Amherst, NS Truro, NS 19 5 feet, 10 inches Medium Gray Dark Brown Single (at enlistment) Clerk/Salesman United Church Phillip Buchanan (father) Truro, NS (at enlistment) Barbara Gwendoline Buchanan (Wife) Steyning, Sussex , England May 6, 1945 24 Holten Canadian War Cemetery, Netherlands VII. F. 13. Commemorated on Page 499 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on October 24 Listed on the Truro Cenotaph Private Kenneth Buchanan was the son of Philip Fulmer Buchanan (1878-1960) and Susan Mary (Purdy) Buchanan (1883-1971). He was the brother of Charles Russell, Frank Phillip, John Dix, Phyllis Adelaide, and Donald Hugh. John Dix also served with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders with the rank of Major. He was the husband of Barbara Gwendoline (Wood) Buchanan (1918-2013) and the father of Lindsay Buchanan. Kenneth completed three years of high school at the age of eighteen and one year of Business (typing and bookkeeping) at night school from October 10, 1939 and February 15, 1940. He was employed as a salesman with David Vernon and Company in Truro for one year prior to his enlistment. He was a stamp collector, enjoyed skating, hunting and target shooting. He played hockey (left wing) and baseball (pitcher). He also played drums. He enlisted in Amherst on June 14, 1940 with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and completed training June 19, 1940 and January 3, 1941. He departed Halifax for overseas on July 18, 1941 and disembarked in England at Avonmouth on July 31, 1941. He served in England until July 10, 1944. He married with permission Barbara Gwendoline Wood on May 4, 1944 at Steyning, Sussex. He embarked England for France on July 9, 1944. During time in England and Europe he served as a drummer in the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Pipe Band and also served as a driver for officers, including Major Arnold Jefferey, Transport Major and later Company Commander in Europe. At approximately 8:00 pm in the barracks on the night of May 6, 1945 he was killed accidentally when his friend removed a magazine from a gun and pulled back the cocking handle to see that there was no round in the chamber. In doing so, the cocking handle slipped out of his hand and the action went forward firing a round which hit Private Kenneth Buchanan in the stomach. Unconscious and despite medical attention, Private Buchanan died fifteen minutes later. He was buried on May 9, 1945 with full military honours in the Canadian Miliotary Cemetery at Throve, Germany. He was reburied in the Holten Canadian War Cemetery in 1946.

Remembering World War II

Kenneth Purdy Buchanan

Name: Rank: Service Number: Service: Date of Birth: Place of Birth: Date of Enlistment: Place of Enlistment: Address at Enlistment: Age at Enlistment: Height: Complexion: Eye Colour: Hair Colour: Martial Status: Trade: Religion: Next of Kin: Date of Death: Age at Death: Cemetery: Grave Reference:

Wedding May 4, 1944