BUCHANAN, ARTHUR JONATHON, Reg.# B46753
Arthur Jonathon Buchanan was born December 30, 1927. Arthur was the son of Jonathon and Paulina (Chisterofetti) Buchanan.
Jonathon died on December 27, 1943 in Ortona, Italy. He was with the 48th Highlanders (Argyll and Southern Highlanders).
48th Highlanders at San Leonardo di Ortona, Dec. 10 1943
The actual battle for Ortona was Dec. 20-Dec. 28, 1943. As noted, in the Canadian Encyclopedia,
“Christmas Day brought no relief in the fighting either in Ortona or out on its western flank. On a western ridge, the 48th Highlanders were cut off and the supporting artillery officer could only save the situation by circling the Canadians within a ring of shellfire. … On 27 December, the CBC’s Matthew Halton reported that “the battle has the quality of a nightmare.” But it was a nightmare soon ended. The following morning, 28 December, an Edmonton patrol discovered that the paratroopers had pulled out quietly during the night—surrendering Ortona to the Canadians.”
Jonathon enlisted (signed his Attestation Papers) on January 7, 1942 in North Bay.
On March 8, 1943 he was 'taken on strength' with the 48th Highlanders Overseas having been transferred from the Argyll and Southern Highlanders.
He was killed in action on December 27, 1943.
Jonathon was reburied at the Morro River Cemetery at Ortona, Italy.
