Norman Buchanan
Encyclopedia
Norman Bruce Buchanan (September 16, 1915 – June 27, 2008) was a furniture retailer and political figure in the Province of New Brunswick
, Canada
. He represented Charlotte County
in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
as a Progressive Conservative
member from 1952 to 1960.
Buchanan was born in St. Stephen, New Brunswick
, the son of Walter Bruce Buchanan and Leola Amelia McWin. He was educated at the University of New Brunswick
and the Royal Military College of Canada
.
A gifted athlete, Buchanan was a pitcher
on the 1936 St. Croixs baseball team that won the New Brunswick Senior Baseball League
Championship and the Maritime Senior Baseball Championship. He worked in the family's retail furniture business until the outbreak of World War II
. He served overseas in the Royal Canadian Army
, rising to the rank of Major
. He was awarded the Military Cross
with two bars for acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land. In 1944 he married Janet C. Wilson. Their first child, a daughter Janice,(a.k.a. mim to grand kids) was born in 1945 in Irving, Ayrshire
, Scotland
.
) from 1939-1940. Posted to England in 1940 he was seconded to the British Army and served in North Africa from 1942-1943. He then served with the 1st Canadian Division
in Sicily and Italy in 1943 before moving to the 3rd Canadian Division
France for the invasion of Normandy during the D-Day Landing of 1944. As a Forward Observation Officer (FOO) in World War II, Then Captain Norman Buchanan was awarded the Military Cross and subsequently two bars, for acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy in North Africa and France. This distinction is held by only 23 Commonwealth Officers. Commencing in 2010, The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery School in CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick honours the top candidate of its Forward Observation Officer (FOO) Course with the presentation of the Norman Buchanan Award.
"During the night of February 23, 1943, He continually tried to rally the infantry who came streaming back through the battery position. He himself picketed the heights and took out patrols. He brought in one 6-pr Anti-tank Gun
and rallied some A/Tk Gunners to man it. Throughout the next day, he manned a local OP firing the guns and shouting encouragement. When he could not knock out an Enemy OP with guns, he tried sniping them himself from his position. His example throughout was a source of inspiration to all his men."
1st BAR - Capt Buchanan, RCHA, 1 FD Regt RCHA, 1 Cdn Division (3 Cdn Inf Brigade) Gambatesa, Italy, 7 October 1943
"At about 1000 hours on 7 October 1943, Captain Buchanan, Troop Commander "F" Troop, 1Fd Regt RCHA, was Forward Observation Officer with the Carleton and York Regiment for the attack of the GAMBATESA feature (772232 162 GAMBATESA). Due to the nature of the terrain, it was necessary for Captain Buchanan to go forward on foot carrying an 18 set. As the leading platoon of the forward company, with which Captain Buchanan was working, approached a crest near the top of the feature, they came under heavy machine gun fire from enemy tanks in hull down positions, and the leading members of the platoon were hit. Captain Buchanan maintained communication with his battery all during the period thus providing continuous artillery fire in support of the leading troops. It was greatly due to the coolness, courage, and resourcefulness of Captain Buchanan that the leading platoon was able to hold the ground, and evacuate their wounded personnel."
2nd BAR - Capt Buchanan, RCA, 14 FD Regt RCA, 3 Cdn Division (9 Cdn Inf Brigade) Normandy, France, D+1 (7 June 1944)
"This Officer landed with reserve coy of the QOR of C as a FOO. During the confused fighting north of ST BERNIERES, his coolness under fire was an example to all. When another FOO was hit by Machine Gun Fire, Capt Buchanan collected a stretcher and OR and helped to carry him to safety. He moved with the SD and G Highrs of 9 Cdn Inf Bde on D plus 1 and occupied an advanced OP at Les Boissons; he remained in this OP continually for three days. During this period the position was attacked several times. During these attacks, Capt Buchanan not only effectively engaged the enemy with artillery fire, but he directed and organized the small heavy fire and his coolness and personality did a great deal towards steadying the ranks in the forward position. As other OP officers and the FOB came forward he directed their movement and ensured their safety. When 12 German tanks were sighted, he obtained a troop of Mediumss and ranged them on the target before the Medium OP arrived. The OP was finally sighted by a German tank and the Medium Officer killed by a direct hit. Capt Buchanan then directed the evacuation of the OP and occupied another a few yards to the flank. When finally received, all ranks in the forward position expressed their regrets at seeing him go. During these four days, Capt Buchanan's coolness, drive and utter disrespect for his own safety was an example to all and this, together with the effective artillery fire he brought to bear, was a major factor in holding the position."
Hugh John Flemming
to the Cabinet
, serving as Minister of Lands and Mines
from 1952 to 1960. He ran unsuccessfully for the New Brunswick Southwest
seat in the Canadian House of Commons
in 1963. He also played a major part in bringing the FLAKEBOARD CO. to St Stephen. The Flakeboard Co. is one of St. Stephens largest employers.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He represented Charlotte County
Charlotte County, New Brunswick
Charlotte County is located in the southwestern portion of New Brunswick, Canada.In most of the county, fishing and aquaculture dominate the local economy, although the town of St. Andrews is a tourist mecca and St...
in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
The Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick is located in Fredericton. It was established de jure when the colony was created in 1784, but only came in to session in 1786 following the first elections in late 1785. Until 1891, it was the lower house in a bicameral legislature when its upper house...
as a Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick
The Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick is a centre-right political party in New Brunswick, Canada. It has its origins in the pre-Canadian confederation Conservative Party that opposed the granting of responsible government to the colony...
member from 1952 to 1960.
Buchanan was born in St. Stephen, New Brunswick
St. Stephen, New Brunswick
St. Stephen is a Canadian town in Charlotte County, New Brunswick, situated on the east bank of the St. Croix River at .-Climate:...
, the son of Walter Bruce Buchanan and Leola Amelia McWin. He was educated at the University of New Brunswick
University of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick is a Canadian university located in the province of New Brunswick. UNB is the oldest English language university in Canada and among the first public universities in North America. The university has two main campuses: the original campus founded in 1785 in...
and the Royal Military College of Canada
Royal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
.
A gifted athlete, Buchanan was a pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
on the 1936 St. Croixs baseball team that won the New Brunswick Senior Baseball League
New Brunswick Senior Baseball League
The New Brunswick Senior Baseball League is the highest level of amateur baseball play in New Brunswick, Canada. The Fredericton Royals are the reigning league champions, and will represent New Brunswick at the 2009 Canadian Senior Baseball Championship in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia...
Championship and the Maritime Senior Baseball Championship. He worked in the family's retail furniture business until the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He served overseas in the Royal Canadian Army
Canadian Forces Land Force Command
The Canadian Army , previously called Land Force Command, is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Forces. The current size of the Army is 19,500 regular soldiers and 16,000 reserve soldiers, for a total of around 35,500 soldiers...
, rising to the rank of Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
. He was awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
with two bars for acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land. In 1944 he married Janet C. Wilson. Their first child, a daughter Janice,(a.k.a. mim to grand kids) was born in 1945 in Irving, Ayrshire
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
Military career
Lt Col Norman Buchanan attended and Graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in 1939. He subsequently served at the Partridge Island Battery (Saint John, NBSaint John, New Brunswick
City of Saint John , or commonly Saint John, is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the first incorporated city in Canada. The city is situated along the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of the Saint John River. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 74,043...
) from 1939-1940. Posted to England in 1940 he was seconded to the British Army and served in North Africa from 1942-1943. He then served with the 1st Canadian Division
1st Canadian Infantry Division
The 1st Canadian Infantry Division was a formation mobilized on 1 September 1939 for service in the Second World War. The division was also reactivated twice during the Cold War....
in Sicily and Italy in 1943 before moving to the 3rd Canadian Division
3rd Canadian Infantry Division
The Canadian 3rd Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Canadian Army from 1940 to c.1945.- History :The formation of the division was authorized on 17 May 1940...
France for the invasion of Normandy during the D-Day Landing of 1944. As a Forward Observation Officer (FOO) in World War II, Then Captain Norman Buchanan was awarded the Military Cross and subsequently two bars, for acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy in North Africa and France. This distinction is held by only 23 Commonwealth Officers. Commencing in 2010, The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery School in CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick honours the top candidate of its Forward Observation Officer (FOO) Course with the presentation of the Norman Buchanan Award.
Military Cross Citations
MILITARY CROSS - Capt Buchanan, RCA, Seconded to the British 1st Army (RCA) Thala, North Africa (Tunisia), 22 February 1943"During the night of February 23, 1943, He continually tried to rally the infantry who came streaming back through the battery position. He himself picketed the heights and took out patrols. He brought in one 6-pr Anti-tank Gun
Ordnance QF 6 pounder
The Ordnance Quick-Firing 6-pounder 7 cwt, or just 6 pounder, was a British 57 mm gun, their primary anti-tank gun during the middle of World War II, as well as the main armament for a number of armoured fighting vehicles...
and rallied some A/Tk Gunners to man it. Throughout the next day, he manned a local OP firing the guns and shouting encouragement. When he could not knock out an Enemy OP with guns, he tried sniping them himself from his position. His example throughout was a source of inspiration to all his men."
1st BAR - Capt Buchanan, RCHA, 1 FD Regt RCHA, 1 Cdn Division (3 Cdn Inf Brigade) Gambatesa, Italy, 7 October 1943
"At about 1000 hours on 7 October 1943, Captain Buchanan, Troop Commander "F" Troop, 1Fd Regt RCHA, was Forward Observation Officer with the Carleton and York Regiment for the attack of the GAMBATESA feature (772232 162 GAMBATESA). Due to the nature of the terrain, it was necessary for Captain Buchanan to go forward on foot carrying an 18 set. As the leading platoon of the forward company, with which Captain Buchanan was working, approached a crest near the top of the feature, they came under heavy machine gun fire from enemy tanks in hull down positions, and the leading members of the platoon were hit. Captain Buchanan maintained communication with his battery all during the period thus providing continuous artillery fire in support of the leading troops. It was greatly due to the coolness, courage, and resourcefulness of Captain Buchanan that the leading platoon was able to hold the ground, and evacuate their wounded personnel."
2nd BAR - Capt Buchanan, RCA, 14 FD Regt RCA, 3 Cdn Division (9 Cdn Inf Brigade) Normandy, France, D+1 (7 June 1944)
"This Officer landed with reserve coy of the QOR of C as a FOO. During the confused fighting north of ST BERNIERES, his coolness under fire was an example to all. When another FOO was hit by Machine Gun Fire, Capt Buchanan collected a stretcher and OR and helped to carry him to safety. He moved with the SD and G Highrs of 9 Cdn Inf Bde on D plus 1 and occupied an advanced OP at Les Boissons; he remained in this OP continually for three days. During this period the position was attacked several times. During these attacks, Capt Buchanan not only effectively engaged the enemy with artillery fire, but he directed and organized the small heavy fire and his coolness and personality did a great deal towards steadying the ranks in the forward position. As other OP officers and the FOB came forward he directed their movement and ensured their safety. When 12 German tanks were sighted, he obtained a troop of Mediumss and ranged them on the target before the Medium OP arrived. The OP was finally sighted by a German tank and the Medium Officer killed by a direct hit. Capt Buchanan then directed the evacuation of the OP and occupied another a few yards to the flank. When finally received, all ranks in the forward position expressed their regrets at seeing him go. During these four days, Capt Buchanan's coolness, drive and utter disrespect for his own safety was an example to all and this, together with the effective artillery fire he brought to bear, was a major factor in holding the position."
Political career
Norman Buchanan was elected to the Legislative Assembly as the Progressive Conservative Party candidate for the multi-member riding of Charlotte County. He was appointed by PremierPremier of New Brunswick
The Premier of New Brunswick is the first minister for the Canadian province of New Brunswick. They are the province's head of government and de facto chief executive....
Hugh John Flemming
Hugh John Flemming
Hugh John Flemming, PC was a politician and the 24th Premier of New Brunswick.He is always known as "Hugh John"...
to the Cabinet
Executive Council of New Brunswick
The Executive Council of New Brunswick is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
, serving as Minister of Lands and Mines
Department of Natural Resources (New Brunswick)
The Department of Natural Resources is a department in the Government of New Brunswick, Canada. It is responsible for management of the Province's forests including timber utilization, trail management, insect and disease protection including spruce budworm and gypsy moth, fire protection,...
from 1952 to 1960. He ran unsuccessfully for the New Brunswick Southwest
New Brunswick Southwest
Charlotte redirects here, for the provincial electoral district, see Charlotte New Brunswick Southwest is a federal electoral district in New Brunswick, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 2004...
seat in the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
in 1963. He also played a major part in bringing the FLAKEBOARD CO. to St Stephen. The Flakeboard Co. is one of St. Stephens largest employers.