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The Shocking Story of Private Naughton

Discussion in 'Military History' started by GRW, Mar 16, 2020.

  1. GRW

    GRW Pillboxologist WW2|ORG Editor

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    A mate gave me this story on FB, so I'm going to paste it in it's entirety in lieu of a link.
    " In memory of
    7th January.

    In Memory Of Private John Francis Naughton (6 October 1885 - 18 November 1916). One of the saddest stories I have come across.
    A wounded Australian soldier, who lost both hands, writing a letter by using the stumps of his wrists to hold the pen, most likely at No.1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, England. Most likely he was writing home.The soldier is Private John Francis Naughton of Charters Towers, Queensland. A baker prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 3rd Battalion in September 1914 and served on Gallipoli, where he was wounded on the 14th of August 1915, when a bomb exploded in his hands, also injuring his right thigh and knee.
    He was evacuated to a hospital ship via Mudros, and from there to England, spending time at King George Hospital, Harefield, Roehampton Hospital, St Mary's Convalescent Hospital and ultimately to Fulham Hospital where he died from kidney issues due to his wounds.
    Initially, he was buried in an open grave, because at the time they couldn’t keep pace with the number of men dying in the hospitals.
    They were still burying soldiers en masse up until 1917. Individual graves were for officers and nurses, who were honorary officers. The other soldiers were often buried in pits.
    Private Naughton's body was left exposed at Kensal Green Cemetery in London for weeks. The grave was only covered after protests from Australian expatriates.
    Private Naughton's body was exhumed in 1921 and placed in a separate plot for Australian soldiers.
    Australian anger over the undignified treatment that Private Naughton received in death led to better burial practices for the fallen. So in death, Private Naughton played an important role in shaping how Australia's war dead were treated.

    Rest In Peace, Private Naughton. Lest We Forget.

    Photograph and some information came from the Australian War Memorial."
    81345499_616222135855265_6938743739426799616_n.jpg
     
  2. Owen

    Owen O

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    Here's his CWGC entry.

    Casualty

    Can you edit 'Pvt' in the thread title.
    He wasn't in the US Army.
    It should be Pte.
     
  3. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Member

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    Heres a little more on this man

    6f905f3c-ccf2-4db3-918d-cbb3f7185ce2.jpg

    TD
     
    GRW likes this.

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