User:MCE89/John Naish
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==Life== |
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John Naish was the son of a Welsh carpenter named William John Frederick Naish and his wife, a teacher named Sarah Ann ({{nee|Griffiths}}). He was born in [[Port Talbot, Glamorgan|Port Talbot]], Glamorganshire, on 20 April 1923.{{sfn|Balanzategui|2023b}} He attended Eastern Primary School and [[Port Talbot Secondary School]], where he played rugby and cricket. He was taught by [[Philip Henry Burton]], who encouraged his interest in theatre and literature.{{sfn|Balanzategui|2023b}} |
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Naish began his career as an [[articled clerk]] to a [[chartered accountant]]. In May 1942 he joined the [[Welsh Guards]] and served in Norway and Germany.{{sfn|Balanzategui|2023b}} He was discharged in March 1947 and began working for a sales company in [[Swansea]], before moving to London in October 1948 to work for a theatre company.{{sfn|Balanzategui|2023b}} |
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In May 1950 Naish left Britain and migrated to [[Queensland]], Australia. He worked largely in [[sugar cane]] cutting in [[North Queensland]]. While working as a cane cutter, Naish began writing.{{sfn|Balanzategui|2023b}} He left Australia with the intention of returning home to Britain in February 1956. He spent a time in [[Fiji]] working as a shipping clerk, where he met a doctor named Rosemary Ruth West.{{sfn|Balanzategui|2023b}} While in Fiji, the first of Naish's plays was performed.{{sfn|Balanzategui|2023b}} Naish and West became engaged and returned to Australia to be married.{{sfn|Balanzategui|2023b}} |
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After their marriage in 1958, Naish and his wife returned to Queensland, where he began working as a cane cutter again and they had their first son Guy.{{sfn|Balanzategui|2023b}} The following year the family returned to Naish's hometown of Port Talbot, where they had a second son named Lee.{{sfn|Balanzategui|2023b}} In April they arrived back in Australia and Naish continued working as a cane cutter.{{sfn|Balanzategui|2023b}} |
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In 1959 Naish signed a contract with the publisher [[Hutchinson (publisher)|Hutchinson]] for his novel ''The Clean Breast''. Over the next three years, he published three novels and a play.{{sfn|Balanzategui|2023b}} |
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Naish and his family eventually moved to [[Cooktown, Queensland|Cooktown]] in North Queensland. He became a full-time writer, while his wife worked as the medical superintendent at the local hospital.{{sfn|Balanzategui|2023b}} Naish, who had long suffered recurring episodes of [[major depressive disorder|depression]], died by suicide after overdosing on [[barbiturates]] on 19 July 1963.{{sfn|Balanzategui|2023b}} |
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==Writing== |
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Naish also composed 14 unpublished plays and 1 short story.{{sfn|Balanzategui|2023b}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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