´óÏó´«Ã½

Nine Australian soldiers from the World War One are buried in a large municipal cemetery in Northampton. How did they end up here, ten thousand miles from home?

Each story can tell us much about the plight of soldiers on the Western Front and their families left behind in Australia, with service records including correspondence between families and the War Office.

Take Charles McGoldrick (pictured with his family), a 25-year-old miner from New South Wales who had a pregnant wife, Sarah, and an infant daughter. He joined the 1st Battalion, Australian Infantry and arrived in Europe in May 1916. He was wounded in action on 18 August 1916, to his right leg and his spine. Four weeks later he died in hospital of pneumonia, having had his right leg amputated. His wife received two charms, a ring, three coins, some photos and his watch.

Sarah wrote to the War Office questioning their version of events – she had heard from him to say he was well though wounded. His daughter, Adeline, whom he never met, died in the same month; September 1916.

Location: Towcester Road, Northampton NN4
Image: Charles McGoldrick with his family, courtesy of Sydney Donaldson

Show less