EDGAR Towner was introduced in last week’s story regarding Australia’s most decorated soldier from the First World War, Harry Murray. Edgar was second in charge of a battalion known as the 26th militia battalion, based in North Queensland in the early years of World War 2; with Harry Murray was the commanding officer. Edgar would have been over 50 at the time, while Harry would have been over 60. Both men were true patriots, and as younger men had won the Victoria Cross during the First World War. They were both also Queensland graziers.
While Harry had moved to Queensland in the 1920’s, Edgar was a born and bred Queenslander who is widely regarded as the states most decorated soldier from the First World War. Yet like Harry, it appears Edgar never sought fame or fortune from his war time medals , instead he lived out his life in the bush, and became a keen student of Geography.
Edgar was born on “Glencoe” station near Blackall in 1890, he went to school in Blackall and Rockhampton, and worked on the family property until 1912 when he acquired his own property where he worked until war broke out.
In 1915 Edgar volunteered for the Australian Imperial force, joining the Queensland based 25th battalion, which trained in Egypt and served on Gallipoli, but Edgar stayed in Egypt with the battalion’s transport unit during the Gallipoli campaign. It wasn’t long before he was in the thick of fighting however, when the battalion, after being reinforced in 1916, transferred to France. Edgar was then to endure close to three years of fighting which ultimately led to his receiving the Victoria Cross for supreme bravery in the face of the enemy.
In early 1917 he was mentioned in dispatches for the first time and continued to impress with his bravery and devotion to duty. His leadership skills were also noticed and he was promoted to lieutenant. In June 1918 he was awarded the Military cross for bravery, and then on the 1st September 1918, he was involved in fighting that led to his recommendation for the highest medal possible, the Victoria Cross. His actions inspired those around him and his official citation reads as follows:
War Officer, 14th December, 1918.
His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officers, Warrant Officer, Non-commissioned Officers and Men: —
Lt. Edgar Thomas Towner, M.C., 2nd Bn., Aus. M.G. Corps.
For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty on 1st September, 1918, in the 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 skilful, 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 inspirited 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 Lt. Towner undoubtedly saved a very critical situation, and contributed largely to the success of the attack.
Soon after he won the Victoria Cross, the war ended in November 1918 and Edgar, like so many of his fellow soldiers, he returned home and tried to go back to life as a civilian.
Returning to his property, he struggled financially and had to sell in 1922. After working as a jackaroo for three years he was able to purchase another property with a partnership near Longreach. His time on the property was interrupted in 1939 when at 49 years of age he volunteered again for military sevrcieand was assigned to the militia 26th battalion, reaching the rank of Major. However by 1942 ill health began to take its toll and he was discharged from the army on medical grounds.
Edgar became a keen geographer and naturalist and was known to” disappear into the bush” for weeks at a time to explore and learn about natural ecosystems. He became a fellow of the Royal Geographical society of Australia and also studied the life and times of noted explorer Sir Thomas Mitchell, even lobbying the Federal Government to release a stamp explorer in 1946, on the 100 anniversary of Mitchells explorations..
In 1955 Edgar addressed the Royal Geographical Society of Australia and his address was published in a 1957 booklet known as “Lake Eyre and its Tributaries” . His interest in geography no doubt helped him cope with the stress and trauma from his war time experiences, which as already mentioned in previous articles, was poorly understood at this time in our history.
Edgar lived in the Longreach district until 1972, passing away at 82 years of age in the Longreach hospital. His passing was mourned by the local community and throughout the state.
It wasn’t until 2009 however that a permanent reminder of his life was constructed in his home town of Blackall. Ironically the move to build this statue came from a Blackall School boy called Ronan Robinson who wrote an essay posing the question why Edgar Tower was not commemorated in his home town. Ronan’s essay prompted the Blackall community to raise $80 000 and with the helped of Edgar nephews, the statue was built.
Perhaps the fact that a schoolboy, some 90 after the events that won him the Victoria Cross, helped prompt a permanent reminder of Edgar’s life is a fitting tribute to that whole generation that gave so much to our country to make sure that future generations could enjoy freedom, and opportunity.
Let the old men forget the horrors, as long as the young ones remember their sacrifice.
“Lest we forget”.
