Need help finding photograph/description of WW1 Soldier

[GB2005]

I'm trying to find a photograph (or, failing that, a description) of my 3rd great-grandfather, L/Cpl Philip Naughton, who served in the 8th Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers until his death (DOW) on 31 August 1916. I believe he died in the Battle of the Somme.

I'm hoping some information may be found in this forum as he lived in Limerick, or, more specifically, a village called Shanagolden.

His regiment was 3606.

If any more information is required, I'd be glad to assist.
This endeavour has taken me hours to no avail, and with assistance from people outside this board.

[mckha489]

Who was his wife?

Why is the entry in The Thiepval Memorial index on Ancestry crossed out? What is the note beneath?

There is a record for a Philip Naughton with a wife Catherine Barry, at that same Keefe Place address, and 5 children. Different soldier number and regiment and younger (b c 1879) . He was discharged 1914, unlikely to become an efficient soldier.

There is a description for that man on the record which is on Ancestry.

In this set
UK, British Army World War I Pension Records 1914-1920

[GB2005]

You are correct! His wife was Catherine Barry, however on the family tree I have (on Familysearch) I don't see a brother in his family that shares the same name, who is 5 years younger, and a wife with the same first name as well.

The information I have gathered was received that alludes to Philip Naughton being (at least to myself) the same man who died in 1916 was from:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56492210/philip-naughton

This aided in my overall deduction that both individuals were a very likely match. If I am wrong, however, I will not hesitate to be corrected (provided there is sufficient evidence that alludes to prior points being correct).

Thank you for the help you have given in this matter regardless, even though I am unable to view the content due to not having an Ancestry subscription

[Sinann]

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2946010/philip-naughton/

CWGC has Philip 3606 wife as Catherine and address Keefes Place.

[Sinann]

There is this Philip Naughton in 1911
https://census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Limerick/Limerick_No__5_Urban/Pump_Lane/632164/
On Alice Ita’s birth mother is Catherine Barry

https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1920/09264/5353984.pdf

This looks like daughter Christina’s marriage in 1920, her father Philip is a deceased soldier
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1920/09264/5353984.pdf
Note address of witness

[gaffy]

I'm trying to find a photograph (or, failing that, a description) of my 3rd great-grandfather, L/Cpl Philip Naughton, who served in the 8th Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers until his death (DOW) on 31 August 1916...

From his attestation of 15 October 1914 (Royal Garrison Artillery, Regiment Number 46901):

Height: 5 feet 7 1/4 inches
Weight: 128 lbs
Chest measurement:
   - Girth when fully expanded: 36 1/2 inches
   - Range of expansion: 2 inches
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Light Brown


Added: This (reg. no 46901) is the same man as the one posted above (reply #4) in Pump Lane, Limerick in the 1911 Ireland census, for the attestation mentions:

- his N.O.K. as his wife Catherine of 1 Keeffes Lane off Edward Street Limerick;
- his marriage in 1893 to Catherine Barry; and
- his children (with birth dates) in line with that 1911 census return.
 
It is also a match to a pension index card for reg. no. 3606 Philip Naughton of the 8th Royal Munster Fusiliers who died of wounds on 31 August 1916, in that the pension index card mentions his wife Catherine of that same Keeffes Lane address and three of his children (with birth dates).

[GB2005]

Thank you, Gaffy! Although it's next to impossible to find a photograph of him, especially after all this time, or his battalion, a description does nicely!

I may continue my search someday, in the hopes to find a group photo of the 8th Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers before his death in August 1916.

[Andy J2022]

I may continue my search someday, in the hopes to find a group photo of the 8th Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers before his death in August 1916.

Have you contacted the Royal Munster Fusiliers Association? If anyone has any such photos the Association is likely to know of them or have copies.

Have you checked the newspapers following his death? Occasionally families provided photographs to the press for inclusion in brief obituaries in the local papers.

Also, it might be worth reading Martin Staunton's MA thesis The Royal Munster Fusiliers in the Great War, 1914-19. The original is held in the James Joyce Library, University College, Dublin, but online versions are available (eg here).

I am doubtful if you will find a photograph of the whole 8th Battalion. Generally there wasn't time for official photographs where the hastily recruited battalions were concerned, and in any case their composition was constantly changing due to providing individual reinforcements to the Regular (1st and 2nd) battalions. In May 1916 the 8th Battalion absorbed the remnants of the 9th Battalion which had been disbanded. You may have more luck with photos of named individuals or small groups.