Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

LEADING AIRCRAFTMAN CYRIL EDMUND NAUGNTON

SERVICE No: 416983

The son of Mary Veronica O’Donoghue and Michael Francis Naughton, Cyril was born at Rose Park on 17 December 1914. Cyril was educated at Christian Brothers College, Wakefield St, until he was 15 years old. He then attended Christian Brothers College, Rostrevor, to complete Intermediate and Leaving. In 1931 Cyril sat the Pharmacy Preliminary Examination, which he passed, with good results in Chemistry, English, Latin and Arithmetic. For the next 3½ years he worked as a garage hand and then for the next 6 years as a motor car salesman. For the last 2½ years, before his enlistment, he was employed as the Ford New Car Salesman at Dalgety’s Motor Department, Waymouth Street, Adelaide.

Cyril married Ida Mary Wilkinson at Parkside on 11 March 1939 and their first daughter, Kathleen Anne, was born on 27 September 1940.

26 year old Cyril enlisted in the Citizen Air Force at 5 Recruiting Centre on 8 November 1941 and applied for Air Crew. Air Crew consisted of pilots and air observers. Cyril’s first posting was to 4 Initial Training School at Victor Harbour and then, on 27 February 1942, he began an Aircrew course at 11 Elementary Flying Training School at Benalla. 11 Elementary Flying Training School was a Royal Australian Air Force pilot training unit that operated during World War II. It’s purpose was to provide introductory flight instruction to new pilots as part of Australia's contribution to the Empire Air Training Scheme. While he was training at Benalla, his second daughter, Margaret Georgina was born on 9 May.

On 1 June 1942, Cyril commenced training at 1 Service Flying Training School at Port Cook. 1 Service Flying Training School was established to train pilots, air observers and wireless air gunners. In July it had become evident to his instructors that Cyril was not likely to become an efficient Aircrew and he was subsequently discharged on 7 August 1942.

Cyril and Ida had a son, Paul Anthony, on 10 December 1944. Ida died on 21 August 1996 and Cyril on 19 April 2001. They are buried together at Centennial Park.