About John Buchanan
Lived 1896 – 1976 (aged 79). John Buchanan was a British rugby union player.
Sir John Cecil Rankin Buchanan (18 June 1896 – 19 February 1976) was a Scotland international rugby union player. He was knighted in the Queen's 1961 Birthday Honours, as a Medical advisor to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Life Buchanan was born in 1896 in Blantyre in what is now Malawi. His parents were Cecelia Mackenzie Ferrie, from Campsie in Scotland and John Buchanan who was a leading figure in what became Malawi. When Cecilia was pregnant in 1896, they set off to return Scotland. His father died at Chinde from fever in Mozambique on 9 March 1896.
Rugby Union career
Amateur career
Buchanan played for Stewart's College FP.
Provincial career
He played for Edinburgh District.
He played for Cities District against Provinces District on 11 December 1920.
He was due to play for the Provinces District against the Anglo-Scots but his place was instead taken by Robert Gallie of Glasgow Academicals.
He played for Scotland Probables against Provinces District on 10 December 1921.
International career
He played for Scotland 16 times from 1921 to 1925.
Military career
In the First World War he joined the Black Watch, as a Lieutenant. He was awarded the Mons Star.
In the Second World War he joined the RAMC.
Medical career
He went to Edinburgh University to study medicine.
He was a Medical advisor to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
He was an author of A Guide to Pacific Island Dietaries in 1947.
Family
His father was John Buchanan (1855-1896), his mother Cecilia McKenzie Ferrie (1867-1941).
He married Ileene Belle Ferrier Roberts (1900-1990) in 1931, however they had no children.
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Important facts
People in John Buchanan's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
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Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Buchanan's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Buchanan?
Scottish rugby player (1896–1976)
When was John Buchanan born?
John Buchanan was born on 18 June 1896 in Tonbridge.
When did John Buchanan die?
John Buchanan died on 19 February 1976.
What was John Buchanan's occupation?
John Buchanan was a rugby union player.
What nationality was John Buchanan?
John Buchanan was British.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John Buchanan (rugby union, born 1896)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Buchanan. https://biography.guide/john-buchanan-rugby-union-player-1896/
MLA: "John Buchanan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-buchanan-rugby-union-player-1896/.
Chicago: "John Buchanan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-buchanan-rugby-union-player-1896/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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