NAYLOR, Theophilus Metcalf
| Service Numbers: | 388, 388a |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 25 August 1914, An original member of C Company 12th Bn |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 49th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Penguin, Tasmania, Australia, 3 January 1894 |
| Home Town: | Penguin, Central Coast, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | 28 September 1957, aged 63 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Melbourne |
| Memorials: |
Biography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Theophilus Metcalf Naylor was one of six sons of the late Mr. Henry Naylor, of Penguin, a retired Indian civil servant, who all volunteered for active service, and went to the front. Theo was one of four of the brothers who part of the first Tasmanian quota of the 12th Battalion, First Australian Division, AIF, which sailed from Australia on 20 October 1914.
Three of his brothers were later killed or died of wounds during the Great War. Theo was the last of the six brothers to return home to a hearty welcome in Penguin, Tasmania in December 1918. He was met by a large throng of people, a brass band and a bower of tri-color ribbon was formed by girls, through which the returned Anzac passed. He was then motored to a reception at the local hall.
He served through the Gallipoli campaign, apart from a slight wound during 1915 which put him out of action for a month. He transferred to the 52nd Battalion during the reorganization of the AIF in early 1916. He was evacuated to England with diphtheria and nephritis in late 1916 and spent about eight months there. He suffered a broken arm in early 1918 was again evacuated to England.
The 52nd Battalion AIF was disbanded to provide reinforcements for those that remained during June 1918 and Theo was transferred to the 49th Battalion, returning to Australia a few months later.
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