LEST WE FORGET
Flight Lieutenant Malcolm Stjernqvist BUCHANAN DFC
Service No: 414641
Born: Gympie QLD, 28 December 1912
Enlisted in the RAAF: 8 November 1941
Unit: No. 78 Squadron (RAF), RAF Station Breighton
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), 22 September 1944
Died: Air Operations: (No. 78 Squadron Halifax aircraft MZ810), Yorkshire, 21 November 1944, Aged 31 Years
Buried: Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery, Yorkshire
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Malcolm and Ada May Buchanan, of Goomboorian, Queensland, Australia
Roll of Honour: Gympie QLD
Remembered: Panel 119, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
DFC Citation (Joint citation with the award of Distinguished Flying Medal to Sergeant W J Bailey (RAF): One night in July 1944, Flying Officer Buchanan and Sergeant Bailey were captain and flight engineer respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack a target in Northern France. After the enemy target had been bombed, the bomber was attacked by an enemy fighter and sustained severe damage. Fire broke out within the aircraft and an explosion occurred in Sergeant Bailey’s compartment wounding him in both legs. Disregarding his injuries, this airman fought the fire until the flames ere quelled. Meanwhile Flying Buchanan who had been severely burned about the face flew the aircraft on a level course. This officer and airman have completed many sorties and have, at all times, displayed courage fortitude and determination of a high order. (London Gazette 22 September 1944, page 4393)
At 1721 hours on the night of 21 November 1944, Halifax MZ810 took off from Breighton detailed to bomb Sterkrade, Germany. On its return to base from the mission, the aircraft was asked to do a dummy run over the flare path to check visibility. The aircraft flew along the runway at a height of 50 to 100 feet, climbing only to about 300 feet before commencing to turn. While turning, MZ810 lost height and hit some trees 50/60 feet high about 2 miles from the airfield. The aircraft burst into flames and all the crew members were killed.
The crew members of MZ810 were:
Sergeant Robert James Barron (1822881) (RAFVR) (Flight Engineer)
Flight Lieutenant Malcolm Stjernqvist Buchanan DFC (414641) (Pilot)
Pilot Officer James McCannon (184087) (RAFVR) (Mid Upper Gunner)
Pilot Officer James Vincent Reddington (187488) (RAFVR) (Rear Gunner)
Pilot Officer James Hedley Rice (185745) (RAFVR) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Flight Lieutenant Wilbert James Robertson (J/20244) (RCAF) (Navigator)
Pilot Officer Lawrence Albert Welsh (J/87795) (RCAF) (Air Bomber)
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/6/625