Front || Victory medal sent to Dickson’s father as Archibald’s next of kin. To qualify for this medal one had to be mobilised by Britain in any service, and have entered a theatre of war between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918. The oak leaf on the ribbon records that Archibald was ‘mentioned in despatches’, a recognition of his bravery. Active service overseas qualified individuals to receive service medals from the British government in the name of the King. Millions were produced, and they were all individually named. Medals awarded to individuals who had not survived were usually received in the post by their closest living relative after the war.

Front || Memorial plaque sent to Buchanan’s next of kin by the British Government on behalf of the King. Soon after the war ended, the British government began production of these individually named memorial plaques to be sent out to the closest living relative of every serviceman and woman who had lost their lives. Buchanan's family also received a commemorative scroll.

Front || Letter sent by Buchanan to his sister on 11 September 1915, 14 days before the Battle of Loos would begin. It concerns his health and cold weather on the front. With telephone and radio communication still in their infancy, letters and postcards were the main means of communication between individuals on active service and their families at home in Scotland. The delivery of letters and parcels from home was irregular. Telegrams were quicker but more expensive, and rarely available to those at the Front. Letters home were censored for sensitive information, and much communication between individuals and families was intended to comfort and reassure. This was to be Buchanan's last letter home.