Sam Hanna Bell Samuel Beckett John Hewitt Bernard (Barney) Hughes James Joseph Magennis VC Frances Elizabeth Clarke Stewart Parker William Carleton Rosamond Praegar

Lewis Buchanan (1836 - 1908):
Soldier and scientist


Colonel Lewis Mansergh Buchanan was of the prominent Buchanan family of Omagh, County Tyrone (an uncle was James Buchanan who became British Consul in New York). He joined the Royal Tyrone Fusiliers Militia in 1855 and volunteered for service in the Crimean War in 1856, being gazetted into the 88th Connaught Rangers. He saw action during the Indian Mutiny which broke out the following year, including at Cawnpore, Lucknow and Calpee, for which he was decorated. In 1862 he rejoined the Tyrone Fusiliers and rose to command it from 1887 until 1897.

Buchanan was the author of several books: Last Winter in Spain, Through the Himalayas and Chinese Tibet, and The Climate of Ulster. He was a Companion of the Order of the Bath, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society.

Amongst his children was Lieutenant-Colonel John Blacker Buchanan of the Royal Army Medical Corps, who served in the Boer War including the relief of Ladysmith; he was mentioned in despatches.



Born: 1836
Died: 1908
Richard Froggatt
Acknowledgements:

Wesley McCann

Bibliography:

AWP Buchanan: Life of Alexander Buchanan QC of Montreal (published in Montreal in 1911, also known as The Buchanan Book); Haldane Mitchell (compiler): Images of Omagh and District, vol 10