Wounded four times in four years
THIS Tasmanian soldier spent much of his active duty being treated for injuries before he lost his final fight.
Nathaniel Abbott was born at Evandale to George and Jane Abbott, later of 74 Patrick St, North Hobart. By the time he enlisted in May 1915, “Nat” was living at 305 Liverpool St, working as a labourer and sporting a tattoo all over his left arm.
Just weeks later, the battalion left for Brisbane aboard HMAT Aeneas and by September they were bound for Alexandria to join the fight at Gallipoli.
Nat suffered a bullet wound to the left leg at Gallipoli in October 1915 that required treatment in England.
The next year he suffered shrapnel wounds at Pozieres, France, and was once again evacuated to hospital in England.
In September 1917 he was wounded for a third time while fighting at Polygon Wood, Belgium, and returned to England for treatment for his injured hand.
Nat rejoined his battalion in Belgium in April 1918 and while fighting in France that August he received multiple gunshot wounds to his head, hands and legs.
He was transferred to Boulogne where died in the 83rd General Hospital, aged 25.
He was buried at the Terlincthun British Cemetery in Wimille, France.
Private Nathaniel Robert Abbott is remembered at tree number 251 on the Soldiers’ Memorial Walk and on honour boards at the Hobart Town Hall and the former St John the Baptist Anglican Church.