John Crawford Buchan

Wounded, he led his men under fire and refused to surrender.

John Crawford Buchan VC, a Scottish journalist serving with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, stayed with his platoon as German troops overwhelmed the British front during the Spring Offensive of March 1918. His determination at Marteville, France, earned a posthumous Victoria Cross.

Born in Alloa on 10 October 1892, Buchan was the son of the owner and editor of the Alloa Advertiser. After Alloa Academy, he briefly trained for a legal career before joining the family newspaper. He enjoyed climbing, skiing and rugby and had a talent for languages. War found him in Switzerland, where he worked as an interpreter before returning to Britain. He initially served in the Royal Army Medical Corps and later became a second lieutenant in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

On 21 March 1918, although wounded, Buchan repeatedly moved between his posts under shellfire and machine-gun fire to steady his men. As the enemy closed around them, he gathered his platoon and prepared to break through to a supporting position. He rejected a demand to surrender and helped drive off the attackers. After reaching the supporting line, he continued the defence until dusk and again refused medical evacuation. When troops on his flank withdrew, his position became isolated; he was last seen resisting overwhelming numbers.

Buchan died on 22 March 1918, aged 25, and lies in Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension. His father received his Victoria Cross from King George V in 1920. His VC, British War Medal and Victory Medal are preserved at the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum in Stirling Castle.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. When fighting with his platoon in the forward position of the battle zone, 2nd Lt. Buchan, although wounded early in the day, insisted on remaining with his men, and continually visited all his posts, encouraging and cheering his men in spite of most severe shell fire, from which his platoon was suffering heavy casualties. Later, when the enemy were creeping closer, and heavy machine-gun fire was raking his position, 2nd Lt. Buchan, with utter disregard of his personal safety, continued to visit his posts, and though still further injured accidentally, he continued to encourage his men and visit his posts. Eventually, when he saw the enemy had practically surrounded his command, he collected his platoon and prepared to fight his way back to the supporting line. At this point the enemy, who had crept round his right flank, rushed towards him, shouting out “Surrender.” “To hell with surrender,” he replied, and shooting the foremost of the enemy, he finally repelled this advance with his platoon. He then fought his way back to the supporting line of the forward position, where he held out till dusk. At dusk he fell back as ordered, but in spite of his injuries again refused to go to the aid post, saying his place was beside his men. Owing to the unexpected withdrawal of troops on the left flank it was impossible to send orders to 2nd Lt. Buchan to withdraw, as he was already cut off, and he was last seen holding out against overwhelming odds. The gallantry, self-sacrifice, and utter disregard of personal safety displayed by this officer during these two days of most severe fighting is in keeping with the highest traditions of the British Army.

Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 21 May 1918. 22 May 1918, Numb. 30697, p. 6058.