Born on the Isle of Wight, he was the second son of Lieutenant Colonel Francis Henry Theodore Buchanan and Gwendolen May Isobel (née Hunt).

[2] His brother Leading Aircraftman James Gilliam Buchanan, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died aged 19 on active service in Arizona, United States in 1943.

In 1972 he took command of HMS Devonshire, before returning to the Ministry of Defence in 1974 and, having been promoted to rear admiral, becoming Naval Secretary in 1976.

[5] Following promotion to vice admiral, he was appointed Chief of Staff, Allied Naval Forces Southern Europe in 1979.

A stained glass window commemorating his service was unveiled at the station on 4 October 2017 by his widow Lady (Audrey) Buchanan.