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From 'In Memory Of'

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 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.

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland 

From Died on this date – 18th November…… Private John Francis Naughton was born at Charters Towers, Queensland in 1885. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 1st September, 1914 at Randwick, NSW as a 28 year old, single, Baker.

Private John Francis Naughton embarked from Sydney, NSW on HMAT Euripides (A14) on 20th October, 1914 with the 3rd Infantry Battalion “E” Company.
He embarked on Derflinger to join M.E.F. (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force) on 5th April, 1915.

On 8th May, 1915 Private Naughton was admitted to 4th Field Ambulance at Gallipoli with Tonsillitis & transferred to Hospital Ship. He rejoined his Unit on 26th May, 1915.

Private John Francis Naughton was wounded in action at Gallipoli. (The “Casualty Form – Active Service” has the date as 16th August, 1915.) He was admitted to Casualty Clearing Station on 15th August, 1915 with bullet wounds to hands, thigh & hip. Private Naughton was invalided to England on Hospital Ship Andonia from Mudros around 17th August, 1915.

The Medical History Form (Army Form B. 178) recorded that Private Naughton became non-effective on 14th August, by amputation of both arms.

He was admitted to The King George Hospital, Stamford Street, London, England on 30th August, 1915 with Gunshot wounds to both hands (Amputated both hands), gunshot wounds to right leg, knee & thigh. Private Naughton was discharged & transferred to 1st Australian General Hospital, Harefield on 12th April, 1916.

A Medical Report was completed on Private John Francis Naughton on 22nd May, 1916 at 1st Australian General Hospital, Harefield. His disability was reported as “Amputation both arms” which had occurred at Gallipoli on 14th August, 1915 when a bomb exploded in his hands while on active service, necessitating immediate amputation of both hands. His present condition as described as “Both hands amputation. Right knee almost completely ___”. The Medical Board recommended that Private Naughton be discharged as permanently unfit for any military service.

On 31st August, 1916 Private Naughton was admitted to Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton, London. He was discharged from St. Mary’s Convalescent Hospital on 19th October, 1916 for furlough & was to then report to A.D.M.S. at Headquarters for extension of artificial limbs on 20th November, 1916.

He was admitted to 2nd Auxiliary Hospital on 25th October, 1916 with kidney trouble.

Private John Francis Naughton died at 3 am on 18th November, 1916 at Fulham Military Hospital, Hammersmith, London, England from Renal Calculus Nephritis Botany inadequecy.

He was buried on 21st November, 1916 in All Souls Cemetery, Kensal Green, London, England where 19 other Australian WW1 War Graves (or those connected to Australia) are located.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/kensal-green--all...

NOTE: In 2017 a photo of an unknown soldier was released by the Australian War Memorial calling for help to identify the soldier who was missing both hands but appeared to be writing a letter. A NSW History teacher discovered that the unnamed soldier was Private John Francis Naughton from Charters Towers, Queensland.

Next of Kin listed in Service Record as Mother - Mrs Harriett Naughton, Charters Towers. There is a notation indicating that his Father was deceased.

Enlisting on 1 September 1914 he was 28 years & 4 months in age.

Service Record indicates that a  bomb exploded in his hands - Gallipoli - which necessitated immediate amputation of both hands. 14 Aug 1915 He also sustained injuries to his thigh and hip.

23 May 1916 it was recommended that he be discharged as from the Army as permanently unfit.

He died of renal calculus resulting from severe wounds on 18 November 1916