Walter Buchanan-Smith was born on 25 May 1879 and educated at Bilton Grange Bolton and Repton. In January 1903 he was selected by the British North Borneo Company for their administrative service. He spent five years in North Borneo, and in 1909 was appointed Acting District Commissioner in southern Nigeria. He served with the Nigeria Regiment in the Cameroons in 1914-15 and German East Africa 1916-18, being awarded the Military Cross. Returning to Nigeria he was appointed a First Class District Officer in 1918, serving in the Southern Provinces and the Cameroons, and from 1930 until his retirement in 1935 he was Lieutenant Governor of the Southern Provinces. He administered the Government of Nigeria in 1930 and 1934. In 1939 he administered the Government of the Seychelles. He became Honorary Secretary-General of the Royal Empire Society in 1941 and died on 27 November 1944.