Edgar Thomas Towner
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Edgar Thomas Towner VC, MC (19 April 1890-18 August 1972) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He was 28 years old, and a Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, Australian Imperial Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 1 September 1918 at Mont St. Quentin, near Péronne, France, Lieutenant Towner located and captured single-handed an enemy machine-gun, turning it on the enemy and inflicting heavy losses. Subsequently he captured 25 prisoners. Later, by fearless reconnaissance under heavy fire he gave valuable support to the infantry advance. Again when short of ammunition he secured an enemy machine-gun which he fired in full view of the enemy, making them retreat, and although wounded and under intense fire, he kept on firing. Throughout the night he kept close watch on enemy movements and was finally evacuated 30 hours after being wounded.
He later achieved the rank of Major.
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
