Background
Born in Midhurst, West Sussex, he was the son of Lieutenant Colonel Francis Buchanan and Gwendolen Isobel (née Hunt).
navy officer appointed Chief of Staff
Born in Midhurst, West Sussex, he was the son of Lieutenant Colonel Francis Buchanan and Gwendolen Isobel (née Hunt).
He was educated at Malvern College.
Buchanan was given command of HMS Endurance in 1968. He proved that the route now known as the Buchanan Passage can be used to reach Marguerite Bay from the North. He became Naval Assistant to the Second Sea Lord in 1970 and, having been promoted to Rear Admiral, became Naval Secretary in 1976.
Following promotion to Vice Admiral, he was appointed Chief of Staff, Allied Naval Forces Southern Europe in 1979.
He retired in 1982. In 1996 he became Master of the Guild of Freemen of the City of London.