Born in Ballarat East, Victoria Miner by occupation, Richard John Buchanan was 33 years and single when enlisted on the 13th of July 1915 in the 29th Battalion, B Company, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Private, Number 733. His Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A11 'Ascanius' on the 10th of November 1915. Private to Hospital sick, France on the 11th of December 1916, again admitted to Hospital sick, France on the 27th of December 1916. On the 1st of January 1917 embarked for England from Rouen per West Australia Trench Feet; admitted Footing Mill Hospital on the 2nd of January for trench feet, England. Private transferred to 64th Battalion from the 29th Battalion on the 28th of April 1917; on the 14th of October 1917 proceeded overseas France and admitted to Hospital sick on the 30th of November 1917. Private admitted to Queen Mary's Md Hospital Malley Lancashire sick frost bite on the 24th of December 1917 and embarked for England per 'St. Danish' ulcer right toe on the 23rd of December 1917 and was listed as returned to Australia on the 8th of May 1919 per 'Devantha'. Disembarked at Melbourne on the 23rd of June 1919 and discharged on the 15th of August 1919 with the termination of period of Enlistment. Tree No. 1152