OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 25360, 12 August 1935, Page 7

OBITUARY

LORD WOOLAVINGTON. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London. August 9. The death is announced of Lord Woolavington. James Buchanan, head of the whisky-dis-tilling firm of that name, was born in August 1849. as the son of Dr. Alex. Buchanan of Glasgow. In his early days he worked as a clerk in an office near his present London headquarters. His business made him a millionaire and he had country seats at Petworth. Sussex, Knockando. and Morayshire. Keenly interested in sport, he had one of the most important racing stables in Britain and won the Derby in 1922 and 1926. Created a baronet in 1929. he was raised to the peerage in 1922 as Lord Woolavington. It was lie who saved for the nation tlie logbook of Nelson’s "Victory," bidding for it at an auction when it was in danger of being secured for the U.S. The book was presented by him to the British Museum. In October. 1928. he gave ,£125,000 to the Middlesex Hospital to enable the governors to provide accommodation for middle-class paying patients. This gift was in memory of his wife, who gave her life to the service of the country during the war and died in 1918. At tire same time lie handed over £50.000 to the fund for the restoration of St. George's Chapel. Windsor. These were only two of many benefactions, in June. 1928. he gave £4.000 to the fund lor equipping the Nelson ship "Implacable as a holiday training ship for boys In 1927 Lord Woolavington heard that the granddaughters of his late brother were living in the U.S. in straitened circumstances. their lather having died. He adopted the role of "fairy godfather." bringing the girls over to England and settling upon them suificient to assure them a comfortable income tor the rest of their lives. He was an excellent landlord and his tenants at Lavington Park were never tired of singing ins praises. Their is no heir to the title, as his only child is a daughter. She nlarried Captain Reginald Macdonald. who took the additional name of Buchanan. The distilling firms of Buchanan and Dewar recently joined forces. Lord Woolavington was also chairman of W. P- Lowrie and Co., of Giasgow.