Sergeant 1801638, 35 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 21/01/1944. Age 20.

 

Frederick was born in Medway, Kent in 1924, the second and youngest son of Charles Alexander Buchan and Louisa Frances nee Frisby. His older brother Charles died in 1938 at 15 years old. In 1939 Louisa who is showing as being widowed was a nurse companion living at 66 Garrison Lane, Felixstowe.

 

Following the outbreak of the Second World War, 35 Squadron was initially a training unit. In November 1940 the squadron was re-formed to introduce the Handley Page Halifax to operational service. Throughout the war 35 Squadron played a major part in many of the historic Bomber Command raids, becoming the first Pathfinder squadron in 1942. The Squadron converted to Lancasters shortly after Sergeant Buchan’s death.

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Frederick was the flight engineer on board Halifax BIII LV787. On the night of 21st/22nd February 1944 they were one of the twenty one 35 Squadron aircraft detailed to attack Magdeburg, they were loaded with 3 1000 lb general purpose bombs. The plane and it's seven crew failed to return and it was reported as "missing, nothing being heard of it after takeoff" A telegram, along with a follow up letter from the Commanding Officer, was sent to the next of kin of each crew member advising them that he was “missing as the result of air operations on 21st / 22nd January 1944”. Frederick is one of the many "Lost without trace" and is  commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.