| Accession Number | P02939.035 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white, Portrait |
| Physical description | Black & white, Portrait |
| Date made | c 1918 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Portrait of Lieutenant (Lt) Edgar Thomas Towner, VC, MC, 2nd Machine Gun Battalion. Lt Towner was ...
Description
Portrait of Lieutenant (Lt) Edgar Thomas Towner, VC, MC, 2nd Machine Gun Battalion. Lt Towner was awarded the Victoria Cross for "most conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty" on 1 September 1918 at Mont St. Quentin. During an advance Lt Towner single handedly located and captured and enemy machine gun, turning it on the enemy causing severe losses, and capturing twenty five prisoners. He later maintained his machine gun fire although wounded and under heavy attack. He was also awarded the Military Cross in 1918, Mentioned in Despatches twice. He returned to Australia in April 1919, his AIF appointment ending on 16 August 1919. Lte Towner has four stripes on his right sleeve indicating four years service.