Buchanan, John Gerard (Junior)

2nd Lieutenant John Gerard Buchanan Junior

was born at Castletown, Fintona, Co. Tyrone on 24th July 1898 to John Gerard Buchanan, Bank Cashier and Annie Elizabeth Buchanan nee Johnston. They were married on 25th August 1891 at Fintona Presbyterian Church.

In 1901, John (2) was living in house 27, Main Street, Fintona, Co. Tyrone with his parents and 3 siblings; William Arthur I (8), Hugh J (5) and Margaret J (0). Two servants also lived in the house, Catherine J Preston and Sarah A McGrath.

John's father, John G Buchanan is recorded as a Bank Manager. The address is that of the Northern Bank branch.

Northern Bank House, Main Street, Fintona

By 1911, the family are still living in Northern Bank House,  (house) 23, Main Street, Fintona, Co. Tyrone. The family has expanded to William Arthur I (18), Hugh J (15), Margaret E (14), John G (12), Amelia M G (7) and Mabel D (6).

[Hugh J Buchanan joined the Northern Bank and also served in the Great War].

John would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1915/1916. His Bankers Guarantee bond was signed by his father, John G Buchanan Senior, John James Knox Johnston of Crannyvale, Fintona and his brother, Hugh J Buchanan. In 1949 his sister Margaret joined in the signing.

Family headstone, John G Buchanan
Hillsborough Parish Churchyard

John volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery soon after and attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

J G Buchanan - Medal Index Card

The 'Belfast News-Letter' of 7th June 1918 reported the gassing and wounding of John:

John was awarded the British War Medal and the British Victory medal for his service.

Following his demobilisation, John worked in Saintfield, Aughnacloy and Kesh as Manager from 1950.

Belfast Bank, Saintfield branch

Belfast Bank, Aughnacloy branch

Belfast Bank, Kesh branch

The 'Belfast News-Letter' of 1st October 1934 reported the marriage of John to Dorothy M A Naylor of Fintona on 15th September 1934.

John retired in 1960 and died on 9th June 1965.

J G Buchanan - Probate

John's nephew (son of Hugh Buchanan), John Gerard Buchanan, Barrister-at-Law was later to become an Irish High Court judge. He died in 2018.

The Belfast News Letter of 30th October 1915 reports this of another brother, W A I Buchanan:

The Belfast News Letter of 28th July 1916 reports this of a brother, W A I Buchanan:

The Belfast News Letter of 30th July 1917 reports the death of his brother W A I Buchanan