Wartime Heritage
ASSOCIATION
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
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Wedding May 4, 1944
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