"Great love hath no man. Daddy's at rest"
TOMPKINS, Harold Newham (right)Service no 3642
Private 31st Battalion Son of Rev. Herbert Chilton TOMPKINS Of East Woodhay, Newbury, Berkshire, England Occupation prior to enlistment Photographer Resided Charleville, Qld. Enlisted 18 February 1916 Served on Western Front Killed in action 26 September 1917 Commemorated Ypres Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium www.awm.gov.au P08199.002 |
AWARDED THE MILITARY CROSS
HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the above award to the undermentioned officer in recognition of his gallantry and devotion to duty in the field :-
Lieutenant EDGAR THOMAS TOWNER
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. One of the first to reach the objective he got his guns into action very quickly thereby greatly assisting the right company in consolidating. He also brought a captured machine gun into action. When one of the infantry posts was badly blown in he went out at great risk and helped to re-organize it.'
Copy of extract from Second Supplement No 31067 to the London Gazette dated 14th December 1918 relating to the conspicuous services rendered by the undermentioned member of the Australian Imperial Force, 2nd Machine Gun Battalion.
AWARDED THE VICTORIA CROSS
HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned officer:-
Lieutenant EDGAR THOMAS TOWNER, M.C.
'For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty on 1st September 1918 in an attack on Mont St. Quentin near Peronne when in charge of four Vickers guns. During the early stages of the advance he located and captured single handed an enemy machine gun which was causing casualties and by turning it on the enemy inflicted severe losses. Subsequently, by the skillful, tactical handling of his guns he cut off and captured twenty-five of the enemy. Later, by fearless reconnaissance under heavy fire and by the energy, foresight and promptitude with which he brought fire to bear on various enemy groups, he gave valuable support to the infantry advance. Again, when short of ammunition he secured an enemy machine gun which he mounted and fired in full view of the enemy causing the enemy to retire further and enabling our infantry to advance. Under intense fire, although wounded, he maintained the fire of this gun at a very critical period. During the following night he steadied and gave valuable support to a small detached post and by his coolness and cheerfulness in spirited the men in a great degree. Throughout the night he kept close watch by personal reconnaissance on the enemy movements and was evacuated exhausted thirty hours after being wounded. The valour and resourcefulness of Lieutenant Towner undoubtedly saved a very critical situation and contributed largely to the success of the attack.'
He returned to Australia on 1 May 1919.
Edgar also served in the Second World War.
He died 18 August 1972, aged 82 years and is buried in the Longreach Town Cemetery, Queensland.
Courtesy of Lyne Richardson
HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the above award to the undermentioned officer in recognition of his gallantry and devotion to duty in the field :-
Lieutenant EDGAR THOMAS TOWNER
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. One of the first to reach the objective he got his guns into action very quickly thereby greatly assisting the right company in consolidating. He also brought a captured machine gun into action. When one of the infantry posts was badly blown in he went out at great risk and helped to re-organize it.'
Copy of extract from Second Supplement No 31067 to the London Gazette dated 14th December 1918 relating to the conspicuous services rendered by the undermentioned member of the Australian Imperial Force, 2nd Machine Gun Battalion.
AWARDED THE VICTORIA CROSS
HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned officer:-
Lieutenant EDGAR THOMAS TOWNER, M.C.
'For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty on 1st September 1918 in an attack on Mont St. Quentin near Peronne when in charge of four Vickers guns. During the early stages of the advance he located and captured single handed an enemy machine gun which was causing casualties and by turning it on the enemy inflicted severe losses. Subsequently, by the skillful, tactical handling of his guns he cut off and captured twenty-five of the enemy. Later, by fearless reconnaissance under heavy fire and by the energy, foresight and promptitude with which he brought fire to bear on various enemy groups, he gave valuable support to the infantry advance. Again, when short of ammunition he secured an enemy machine gun which he mounted and fired in full view of the enemy causing the enemy to retire further and enabling our infantry to advance. Under intense fire, although wounded, he maintained the fire of this gun at a very critical period. During the following night he steadied and gave valuable support to a small detached post and by his coolness and cheerfulness in spirited the men in a great degree. Throughout the night he kept close watch by personal reconnaissance on the enemy movements and was evacuated exhausted thirty hours after being wounded. The valour and resourcefulness of Lieutenant Towner undoubtedly saved a very critical situation and contributed largely to the success of the attack.'
He returned to Australia on 1 May 1919.
Edgar also served in the Second World War.
He died 18 August 1972, aged 82 years and is buried in the Longreach Town Cemetery, Queensland.
Courtesy of Lyne Richardson
TOWNLEY, GeorgeService no 4917
Private 15th Battalion Born Ireland Son of George and Mary Ann TOWNLEY Husband of Ellen J TOWNLEY Of Gundurimba, Lismore, NSW Enlisted 13 September 1915 in Lismore, NSW Embarked from Brisbane, Qld. Died of Nephritis 09 January 1917 in Le Treport, France Aged 50 years Buried Mont Huon Military Cemetery, France www.awm.gov.au P05301.103 |
TOZER, Ernest WiliamService no 60
Private 31st Battalion Born Tooting, London, England Son of T TOZER Of 'Craganour' Hamilton Road, Nundah, Brisbane, Qld. Occupation prior to enlistment Telephonist Enlisted 03 September 1915 in Brisbane, Qld. Served in Egypt and France Killed in action 19 July 1916 in France Buried Eaton Hall Military Cemetery www.awm.gov.au P08453.001 |