Buchanan, George Malcolm (Private, b.1889 - d.1946)

Collection relating to the First World War service of 3464 Private George Malcolm Buchanan, 15th Field Ambulance. Collection consists of four original handwritten diaries written from 1916 to 1919 inclusive. The diaries contain regular entries and detail Pte Buchanan's service career. Prior to serving with the 15th Field Ambulance, Pte Buchanan served with B Company, 10th Battalion, 3rd Brigade until September 1916.

1916 Diary - The diary commences in January and covers the period prior to Pte Buchanan's embarkation aboard HMAT Borda. Also includes entries relating to training in Egypt, movement to France and the Western Front, correspondence, troop movements and battles, shell shock, the 12th Battalion's involvement at Mouquet Farm, and living conditions in the trenches.

1917 Diary - The diary includes entries relating to Pte Buchanan's leave, duties and life in and out of the trenches and Hospital Ward, stretcher bearing, working and living conditions, shortages in food rations, trench fever and conscription. Also included within the diary's pages are a newspaper clipping and five black and white photographs.

1918 Diary - The diary includes entries relating to Pte Buchanan's duties such as building bomb proof mounds near the wards, his leave, Villers Bretonneux and the casualties suffering from the effects of gas, his own health, and the Armistice. Attached to the back cover of this diary is a photograph of a young woman. The diary also includes the addresses of family and friends.

1919 Diary - The diary includes entries relating to Pte Buchanan's repatriation training while awaiting return to Australia, visiting the graves of friends, German prisoners put to manual labour, the mind set and health of the Australian soldiers, peace celebrations, the return voyage and arriving home in Australia. The back of the diary contains a list of addresses and dates relating to correspondence with his girlfriend Norah.