A wounded Australian soldier, who lost both hands, writing a letter by using the stumps of his ...

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. The soldier is 963 Private John Francis Naughton of Charters Towers, Queensland. A baker prior to enlistment at Dubbo, then Randwick, NSW, he embarked with the 3rd Battalion in September 1914 and served on Gallipoli where he was wounded on 14 August 1915, a bomb exploding 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.