Buchanan, Hugh Johnston

Lieutenant Hugh Johnston Buchanan

was born at Castletown, Fintona on 17th May 1895 to John Gerard Buchanan, Bank Cashier and Annie Elizabeth Buchanan nee Johnston.

In 1901 Hugh (5) is living in house 27, Main Street, Fintona with his parents and 3 siblings; John G Buchanan (2), William Arthur Irvine (1) and Margaret J (0). John (father) is now a Bank Manager.

[John G Buchanan joined the Northern Bank and also served in the Great War].

By 1911 the family property is described as house 23, Main Street, Fintona. The family would have been living in the manager's house located upstairs in the picture below. The house entrance would have been down the lane at the left hand side.

Northern Bank House & branch, Fintona

On 31st May 1911, Hugh joined Northern Bank at Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Ballybofey (1911), Londonderry (1913), Head Office (1913), Limavady (1914), Beragh (1915 - Cashier) and Head Office (1916).

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

Northern Bank, Beragh branch

Hugh was based in Head Office on 17th May 1916 when he volunteered and enlisted as a Private with the (Cadet Coy), 19th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant with the 19th Bn. RIR and then posted to the 15th Bn. RIR. He saw service with the British Expeditionary Force and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1918.

Hugh saw action at Ypres 1917 and Cambrai 1917 before becoming a Prisoner of War in Germany.

The Belfast News Letter of 3rd December 1917 reports:

The Belfast News Letter of 24th December 1917 reports:

The Belfast News Letter of 4th January 1918 reports:

The Belfast News Letter of 7th December 1918 reports:

Following service with the Army of Occupation, Hugh was demobilised in September 1919 and was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. 

H J Buchanan - Medal Index Card
- address recorded as 27 Longford Terrace, Monkstown, Co. Dublin

Following demobilisation, Buchanan re-joined the bank at their Ball’s branch as their Accountant. 

Ball's branch (Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin)

Promotion and transfers followed with Southern (1919 - Cashier), Southern (1919 - Manager), Lisburn (1943 - Manager) and Head Office (1945 - Manager). 

Northern Bank, Southern branch (Grafton Street, Dublin)

Hugh married a Miss G G Gilmore of Rathgar, Co. Dublin in 1922.

He died on 6th December 1948. The PRONI Will Calendars record "of "Glenvista" Glenn Road Londonderry county Londonderry bank manager died 6 December 1948 Probate Belfast 2 March to Gladys Gulnare Buchanan the widow. Effects £2612 18s. 10d."