SOLDIER’S FACE REMADE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3806, 22 February 1927, Page 53

SOLDIER’S FACE REMADE.

Al- TER TWEN T Y-FI OPERATIONS.

(Fbom Oub Own Cobbespondent.) SYDNEY, (February 11. Remarkable surgical skill has been demonstrated by Australian doctors in operations to repair the awful damage cause-, by a German high-explosive shell to the face of Henry Buchanan, of Narrandera, New South Wales, formerly of the Ist Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. By the use of bones and flesh grafted from the patient’s body, the patient’s face has bee\ remodelled. The right side of Buchanan’s face waj blown away. Part of his chest bone wax. taken right out to form the foundation for the forehead and skull, a rib was used for an eyebone, another rib for his nose, and a third rib for a jawbone. On to those transplantations, flesh was grafted until now only scars mark the patient's new face. Buchanan is now awaiting a glass eye in place of the one which ho lost when he was blown up in France. A' tragic feature is that his left eye, lacerated by shell splinters, is failing. He may never be able to read again. Buchanan was on the Somme when the, Germans broke through at Bailleul in.’ 1918, and he was of those rushed northward to stem the advance. Their machinegun 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 Newlands, a celebrated Adelaide surgeon, and on his return to Australia he was sent to Adelaide in order that he might remain under; Dr Newlands’s care. In all 25 operations in eight years have been performed on Buchanan. Though he has been given back his face, the doctors have been unable to restore his health and strength. ■ The war ended many years ago, but for Buchanan it is still a vivid and terrifying memorv.