INDENTD.S.O. London Gazette 4.11.1915 2nd. Lieutenant (Temp. Captain), 2nd. Batt. Black Watch "For Conspicuous gallantry at Maquissart on 25th. Sept 1915, when sallying and leading his company after both he himself and many men had suffered from the effects of GAS. He had his men over three lines of German trenches, his company being the first to enter the Reserve lines near the MOULIN. He only gave the first order to retire when troops on both flanks led been forced back by the enemy's counter-attack and he himself had been wounded".

Captain James Ivory Buchan D.S.O., was commissioned from the ranks 15th. June 1915 after 14 years 7 months service; promoted to temporary Captain 6th. August 1915 and took part in the Battle of Loos 25-26 September. This was the first occasion on which gas was used by the British, but the wind being light and variable, the gas was blown into the British trenches as soon as the cylinders were opened. The Black Watch, on the leeward flank of the brigade suffered most heavily before the gas was turned off. Despite this inauspicious start, the 2nd. Battalion went on to penetrate the enemy lines further than any other battalion, Captain Buchan's company being the first to reach the enemy's reserve trenches (D.S.O., wounded); Lieutenant, July 1916; Mentioned in Despatches twice (1.1.1916 and 9.7.1919); shown in November 1918 as acting Captain with his regiment; later employed with H.M. Prison Service as a Governor, and served as Major, Home Guard