SOLDIER’S FACE REMADE

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1927, Page 4

SOLDIER’S FACE REMADE

AFTER 25 OPERATIONS. SYDNEY. Fob. 11. Remarkable surgical skill lias been demonstrated by Australian doctors in operations to repair the awful damage e9used by a, German Ii igh-explosi ve Midi to the iaei* of Henry Buchanan, cl Nairn inlera, New South Wales, fnrmerly ot the Ist Battalion. Australian Imperial Force. By the use of hones and ficsli gralted from the patient's l.'odv. (he patient’s face has been remodelled.

I he right side oi Buchanan's face was blown away. Part of bis chest hone was taken out to form the foundation for the forehead ami skull, a rib was use lor an eyebnne. another til) tor his nose, and a third rib for a. jaw-bone. On to these transplantations. flesh was grafted until now only scars mark the patient's new face. BurVmnn is now awaiting a glass eve in place of the one which ho lost, when he was blown tip in France. A tragic feature is that his lelt eye, lacerated by shell splinters, is failing. He may never be able to rca ( | again. Buchanan was on the Somme when the Germans broke through at Bailleul in 1918, and he was of those who rushed northward to stem the advance. Their machine gnu post was spotted by German aeroplanes, and shells fell thickly. One scored a direct hit. and Buchanan was the only one of nine to

escape death. He was brought out unconscious. He- was treated in London by Dr Newhmds, a celebrated Adelaide surgeon, Uud on his return to Australia he was sent to Adelaide in order that he might remain under Dr Newlands’s care. In all, 2~> operations in eight years have been performed on liuchanan. Thougb he 11 is been ~-iven back his face, the doctors have been unable to restore his health and strength. The war ended many years ago. but;- for liuchanan it is still a vivid and terrifying memory.