Major General Ross Buchan, AO (Retd)
(1935-2003)
Major General Ross Buchan entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in 1954, graduating into the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery in 1957. His 37-year career thus mirrored the role that Australia’s professional army played in the Cold War and his personal development as an officer was forged by the active and varied military life that was open to a promising officer during this period. His was a rich and exciting life, and despite his too early death, he packed more experience into his years than most others will ever know.
His initial posting was to the 13th National Service Training Battalion, followed by an appointment to the 1st Field Regiment in 1959. His first overseas service came later that year when he was posted to Malaya with the 101st Field Battery. He became Adjutant to the 3rd Field Regiment in 1961, returning to the 1st Field Regiment in 1964. Operational service followed with a posting to the Australian Army Training Team in South Vietnam from 1966 to 1967, during which he was Mentioned In Despatches and received the Vietnamese Medal of Honour. He served as the senior Australian officer in I Corps in the northern provinces of South Vietnam. He returned to Australia in 1967 and was posted as the Senior Instructor at the School of Artillery. He attended the Australian Command and Staff College in 1968, which was followed by a much coveted posting as an instructor at the Jungle Training Centre, Canungra in 1969-70. He served on the headquarters of the 1st Division in 1971.
He was appointed Commanding Officer of the 1st Field Regiment in 1973. He served in a number of staff appointments including as an exchange officer with the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command in Virginia. In 1977 he attended the Joint Service Staff College. He was Commandant of the 1st Recruit Training Battalion at Kapooka, Director Training Operations, and Director Training Plans, in Army Headquarters. He was promoted Brigadier in 1983 and appointed Director General Service Personnel Policy. His final appointment was as General Officer Commanding Training Command from 1987 to 1991. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1989 in recognition of his performance in commanding Training Command. On retirement, Major General Buchan remained active in support of veterans through his work as Services’ member of the Veterans’ Review Board. He died on the 7th of February 2003, aged sixty-seven.
Major General Buchan is remembered as a direct, energetic and personable officer—well-rounded, professionally educated and widely experienced. His service represents a considerable contribution to the Army and to Australia. His comrades and contemporaries remember him fondly and with great respect.
Alan Ryan
