Cpt JGF Luther

Captain John Guy Fitzmaurice LUTHER
Clicking on Photo will return to Page K,L,M

LUTHER
Captain (Medical Officer) John Guy Fitzmaurice

Headquarters, 15th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force

Born 26th March 1870 at Donnybrook, Dublin, Ireland

Educated: University of Dublin Medical School

Married; Doctor, of Bundaberg, Queensland

Next of Kin listed as: Wife; Ida Tassie Luther (nee Mowbray), of Bundaberg, Queensland / (later) 'Ardpatrick', Southport, Queensland

Photos of Captain Luther are known to exist in the following locations:
Group photo Chataway, facing p18 & facing p146. Sydney Mail 22 Sep 1915 p28. The Queenslander 2 Oct 1915 p26


Died of wounds
25th August 1915
at 4th Field Ambulance, northern Anzac sector
Aged 45






15th Battalion, AIF


Grave:

No. 2 Outpost cemetery


Epitaph:

Their Glory Shall Not
Be Blotted Out



Notes:


Wife's name in birth register 'MOWHAY'; (but brother: Thomas Aubrey Montague MOWBRAY b. 31 Jan 1874).

Previously served in Australian Army Medical Corps as Captain: Regimental Medical Officer; (Army Journal No 270).
Medical School, 1888; L.R.C.P. & S.I.; Captain, Australian A.M.C.; killed, Dardanelles, Sept. 1915. (University of Dublin War List p122).

Was assistant physician, Goodna Asylum, Queensland. Moved to Bundaberg '18 years ago.' Shortly after he married the eldest daughter of the late Mr Thomas Mowbray, M.P., of Brisbane. Leaves a widow and four children - Jean [Jean Alice Kathleen], 14; Pat [Guy Mowbray], 12; Betty [Ida Betty], 8; and Teddy [Edward Fitzmaurice], 2. (Brisbane Courier 3 Sept 1915 p7).

Shot in the head by a sniper, at Hill 60; died one hour later without regaining consciousness:
'It was during this period that the death of our popular medical officer, Captain Guy Fitzmaurice Luther, took place. Luther had been attending to several casualties caused by snipers firing on a certain point in the communication line. He was wearing around his neck a large red bandana handkerchief. An officer and some men came to Luther's dressing station on their way up to the front line. To show them the dangerous sector in the communication line, Luther accompanied them, and at the spot where so many casualties had occurred, a sniper's bullet struck him in the head. The cry for stretcher-bearers was answered with alacrity and when it was known that the Doc. was the casualty, in the shortest time possible, four other doctors arrived upon the scene. Dr. MacDonald of the 16th Battalion, who throughout the campaign had been a close friend of Luther, examined the wounded man, and the expression upon his face when he rose to his feet dispelled all hopes for the Doc's. recovery. Luther's own stretcher-bearers bore him gently to the beach where he passed away about an hour later without regaining consciousness. (Chataway p93).

Part of a letter from Dr. J.P. Kenny, 4th Field Ambulance:
'Captain Luther, of the 15th Battalion, was shot two days ago by a sniper. He was the most daring and fearless of all the medical officers, and did wonderful work. Shot through the head. His bravery and energy were a matter of common talk everywhere.' (Perth Sunday Times 14 Nov 1915 p14).

Captain Luther's identity disc was found at No. 2 outpost and handed to Australian Headquarters, Egypt, early in 1916, by Captain Bigwither, NZEF.

A letter from Private Hickey, 15th Battalion reads, in part:
'I would like to mention another good man of our battalion, Captain J.F.G. Luther, medical officer. He would go out and bring in wounded men from anywhere, no matter what the enemy's fire was like. Of course he was hit at last. He was shot in the head while out looking for wounded and killed.' (Melbourne Herald 18 Dec 1915 p1).

Admitted 25th August 1915. Died 25th August 1915, from effects of bullet wound to skull. (Report of 4th Field Ambulance)

'The 15th Battalion A.I.F. also lost their R.M.O., Captain Luther, A.M.C., killed in action; a very valued officer.' (Carbery p105).



Lest We Forget


Top Of Page

Back to Anzac officers died at Gallipoli Home Page