MacNAUGHTON, James Frank

War
1st World War
Date of Birth
Date Attested
Attested at
Regina
Rank
Sergeant
Date of Death
Age at Death
28
Biographical Summary

DIVISIONAL UNIT:         4th Canadian Infantry Division
                        Canadian Field Artillery - 4th Brigade
                                             Canadian Artillery Corps
SERVICE NO:                   86665
RESIDENCE:                    Saskatchewan
AWARDS:                          Military Medal
DATE OF BIRTH:            March 7, 1890
                        Bluevale – Turnberry Township – County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           September 5, 1918               28 years
CEMETERY:                     Ligny-St. Flochel British Cemetery – Averdoingt –
                        Pas de Calais – France
                                             IV     B     24
PARENTS:                         Mr. John and Martha Macnaughton – Bluevale - Ontario
Occupation:                        Farmer                                  Religion:     Presbyterian
Enlistment:                         November 12, 1914 – Regina - Saskatchewan
Enlistment Age:                 23 years     8 months

Once in England he was taken on strength by the 2nd Reserve Battery based in Shorncliffe on July 10, 1915. Then on October 1, 1915 he transferred to the 8th Howitzer Brigade based at Otterpool in Kent. This unit then became the 21st Battery late in October of 1915.
He went into France in mid January of 1916 and in May of 1916 transferred to the 7th Brigade of the Canadian Field Artillery. Upon reorganization in the artillery he then transferred to the 4th Brigade of the Canadian Field Artillery.
He was wounded in the arm on August 21, 1917 and taken to No. 22 Casualty Clearing Station and returned to duty with his unit on September 1, 1917.
He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field on May 2, 1918
During the fighting of September 4, 1918, he was wounded in the ankle and chest and also suffered a fractured leg and was taken to No. 7 British Casualty Clearing Station – Ligny St. Flochel where he was tended to but the wounds he suffered were fatal and he died the following day on September 5th.
The Brigade was located at Runanmount and during the day the enemy artillery had been harassing heavily.
The Batteries of the Brigade were settling into their positions that were hurridly assigned to them on September 3rd and the infantry were in reconnaissance operations out toward the canal. The indications were the enemy was holding the far side of the canal in strength. His artillery located behind the Oisy Le Verge Ridge was very active and it is thought that during the enemy shelling was when Sergeant MacNaughton received his fatal wounds.
The 18 pound gun was the main artillery piece for the Canadian Corps. Prior to Vimy Ridge the gun fired high explosive and shrapnel shells. When fired the shells tended to bury themselves prior to exploding. The shells also lacked the wire cutting capabilities that were needed. Then prior to Vimy Ridge the 106 instantaneous fuse was introduced.
The shell was 88 mm and packed more punch than the French or German artillery guns. The limber carried 24 rounds of ammunition. Each gun was accompanied by a second team of horses that were pulling an ammunition wagon and wagon limber carrying the gun detachment with 38 rounds in each.The towed weight of the gun and loaded limber was 4,480 pounds. The weight of the wagon and its limber was 4,144 pounds. Each gun had an extra wagon and limber giving each gun 172 rounds of ammunition. The carriage limber was towed between the gun and the hoses pulling the guns.
The maximum effective range for these guns was 6,200 yards.