The Airmen's Stories - P/O J Buchanan

Jack Buchanan of Sandsend, Whitby was born on 11th July 1917, the son of Charles Buchanan and Williamina Buchanan (nee Heselton), of Sandsend near Whitby.

He joined the RAFVR in May 1938 as an Airman u/t Pilot. Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training, was commissioned on 2nd June 1940 and went to 5 OTU Aston Down on the 10th.

After converting to Blenheims he joined 29 Squadron at Digby on 23rd June. Buchanan was on a patrol on 28th September when his starboard wing was hit by our own anti-aircraft fire but he returned safely to Digby.

Still serving with 29 Squadron, Buchanan was killed on 15th February 1941.

His Beaufighter IF R2150 dived into the ground at Scopwick while on approach to Digby. No other crew member is recorded as being aboard.

He was 23 and is buried in Easington Cemetery, Yorkshire.

By 2015 his grave had become dilapidated and it was realised that his name did not appear on the local war memorial. Hull RAFA arranged for the restoration of the grave and the addition of his name, the occasion was marked by a service on 3rd June 2015.