Henry David Buist was born at Dundee on 11 December 1922. He lived at 27 Oxford Street, Dundee.
Educated at Morgan Academy, he joined the company as a cadet in October 1939, with the intention of becoming a merchant navy officer. Deptford was his first ship, and he was on his second voyage with her.
Henry David Buist was killed as a result of enemy action, by reason of a torpedo attack carried out on SS Deptford from U-38. He was 17.
He turned 17 two days before the sinking. His father was abroad at the time.