Edgar Towner

The Australian War Hero Who Refused to Surrender

Wounded, exhausted, and surrounded by relentless enemy fire, Edgar Thomas Towner refused to give up. On 1 September 1918, during the Battle of Mont St Quentin in France, this courageous Australian officer turned captured German machine guns against their own forces, took 25 prisoners, and continued fighting despite his injuries. His extraordinary leadership earned him the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration for gallantry in the face of the enemy.

Born on 19 April 1890 at Glencoe Station near Blackall, Queensland, Edgar Thomas Towner grew up in Australia's rugged pastoral country. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 4 January 1915 as a private in the 25th Battalion. After serving in Egypt, he moved to the Western Front, where his determination, discipline, and leadership saw him rise through the ranks and earn a commission. Serving with the Australian Machine Gun Corps, he was twice Mentioned in Despatches, in 1917 and 1918, for his devotion to duty and consistently outstanding service.

His courage was dramatically demonstrated on 10 and 11 June 1918 during operations near Morlancourt, France. Among the first to reach his objective, Towner rapidly positioned his machine guns to support advancing Australian infantry. He brought a captured enemy gun into action and, despite dangerous shellfire, risked his life to help reorganise a badly damaged infantry post. His actions earned him the Military Cross, with the official citation recognising his conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.

But Towner's greatest test was still ahead.

On 1 September 1918, during the Australian assault on Mont St Quentin near Péronne, Lieutenant Towner commanded four Vickers machine guns of the 2nd Machine Gun Battalion. When enemy machine-gun fire threatened the advance, he personally located and captured a German weapon, immediately turning it against its former operators. His skilful handling of his guns helped capture 25 German soldiers, while repeated reconnaissance under heavy fire allowed him to identify and suppress enemy positions.

When ammunition ran low, Towner seized another enemy machine gun and operated it in full view of German forces, forcing them to retreat. Even after being wounded, he continued providing critical fire support. Throughout the following night, he encouraged the defenders of an isolated post and personally monitored enemy movements. He was finally evacuated, exhausted, approximately 30 hours after being wounded.

His Victoria Cross citation, published in December 1918, praised his exceptional bravery, initiative, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty, crediting his actions with saving a critical situation and contributing significantly to the success of the attack.

Returning to Australia in 1919, Towner resumed life in rural Queensland, eventually becoming a successful grazier and a respected authority on Australian geography. When the Second World War began, he answered the call to serve again, joining the Citizen Military Forces and attaining the rank of major. His wider military honours also reflected his First and Second World War service and his recognition through the 1937 and 1953 Coronation Medals.

Beyond his battlefield achievements, Towner developed a lifelong passion for exploring and understanding Australia's inland landscapes. His geographical research earned him recognition from the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia, demonstrating that his determination extended far beyond military service.

Major Edgar Thomas Towner died on 18 August 1972 in Longreach, Queensland, aged 82, and was buried with full military honours. From the battlefields of France to the vast Australian outback, his life remains a remarkable story of courage, resilience, and unwavering service.