George Buchanan was born in the charming small village of Lesmahagow on the west coast of Scotland. The oldest of four sons and a daughter, his was a happy childhood if perhaps noisy. He and two of his brothers played the bagpipes while the youngest brother was a drummer - all members of the Boys' Brigade Pipe Band - a youth group affiliated with the Parish Church.

On graduation from Hamilton Academy (high school), he moved on to Glasgow University and the School of Divinity. It is perhaps interesting that seven of his Lesmahagow peers joined him to become candidates for the ministry, all young men profoundly influenced by the example of their Parish Church minister.

Newly ordained and imbued with a sense of adventure, 1931 saw him heading for a first posting to the Argentine. Though based in Buenos Aires, he landed the Camp Chaplaincy and served the isolated estansias and settlements of Scottish folk by riverboat, train, plane occasionally and on horseback, his bagpipes by his side. It was a young man's dream, a vast learning experience. Memories of these two-and-a-half truly special years always remained with him.

Back in Scotland, he was accepted as Paisley Abbey's Assistant minister for one year. Introduced to Renee Murchie, he wooed her vigorously, vowing that if she did not accept his offer of marriage, he would play his bagpipes under her apartment window. They married in October 1934 and began their partnership of 63 years.

They left for India in October 1934 to join the Indian Ecclesiastical Establishment on a contract for 23 years, interrupted only by Indian Independence in August 1947. They served for 13 years -George as minister of both the civilian Scots' Kirks and as chaplain of the Royal Scots Regiment - Calcutta; Lahore; back to steamy Calcutta during the horrors of the war; the Church of Bangalore, South India; then transferred to St. Andrews Scots Church, Karachi, Pakistan immediately on Independence, while waiting for repatriation to Britain in February 1948. They soaked up the wonders of Indian culture, learned much from Indian friends, worked tirelessly for their mixed congregations and troops - saw famine, injustice, dreadful strife, poverty and great wealth, and came away rewarded by experience and broadened beyond measure.

From 1948 until 1960 the Buchanans were in the rural parish of Cove and Kilcreggan on the west coast of Scotland - their teamwork so necessary again to cope with the totally different needs of a Scottish parish.

In December of 1960 George Buchanan was persuaded by the Church of Scotland Overseas Council to accept a posting to Christ Church in Bermuda - a challenging post requiring a sensitive touch, within a complicated community during times of racial upheaval. This proved to be an enriching and stretching experience for George, in addition accepting key roles within the Island's community. He was asked by H.E. the Governor of Bermuda to assume Chairmanship of the Race Relations Council and held that position throughout a turbulent period in Bermuda's history.

He was also President of the Lady Cubitt Compassionate Association and latterly President of the Bermuda Housing Trust. In addition to these public duties George ministered to the congregation of Christ Church, Warwick for a period of seventeen years and many bonds of friendship formed during this time remained unbroken until his death.

In 1968 he was awarded an OBE and in 1973 an honorary D.D. from his Alma Mater, Glasgow University, in recognition for his life's work. He insisted that, although these honours were given in his name, his wife Renee deserved her full share.

Retirement in 1977 saw their return to Scotland, to Edinburgh - Renee was quite unwell, but courageous and cheerful as ever. When George officiated at his daughter Margo's marriage to Mervyn Olson in Vancouver in December 1983, he and Renee accepted their enthusiastic invitation to move to Canada, which they did in December 1984 and lived there happy for ten years. They moved to Galiano Island with Margo and Mervyn in 1995 where sadly Renee died in February, 1998.

From 12th April, 1999 to 13th April, 2000 St Charles Manor, Victoria, became home for George, where he was surrounded by loving, compassionate hands. This was a splendid last home for a beloved father, scholar, an insightful preacher, a caring courteous gentle man with a delightful sense of fun, who was always ready to go the second mile for anyone in need.

A caring, courteous gentlemahn: George Buchanan with hsi wife Renee