Name
Percy Gilchrist Towl (DSO)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
08/09/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Captain
Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
37th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Distinguished Service Order, Mentioned in Despatches
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HEATH CEMETERY, HARBONNIERES
IX. A. 19.
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Digswell House Australian Hospital Memorial, St John's Church, Digswell
Pre War
Percy Gilchrist Towl was born in Ballarat, Victoria, the son of Edward and Maria Towl. He lived at Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria and worked as a Geologist and Mineralogist. He gave his next of kin as his brother, Charles Edward Towl, of 76 Collins Street, Melbourne.
Wartime Service
He enlisted on 29 May 1915 and served as a Lieutenant with the 37th Battalion, D Company. His unit embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT A34 Persic on 3 June 1916. He was promoted to Captain and was Mentioned in Despatches, as well as being awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the night of the 29th-30th August, 1918, at Clery. In charge of his company of only twenty eight men with twenty five prisoners, he was attacked by some 150 of the enemy, who had at first surrendered. He was surrounded practically, and by fire from front and flanks his party, before he was reinforced by other troops at 3 p.m. next day, was reduced to twelve men. His performance was a splendid one, and it was due to his determined courage and able leadership that his company, besides holding out, retained their prisoners.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 67
Date:
His name is commemorated on a Roll of Honour and St Peter's Anglican Church, Ballarat.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
aif.adfa.edu.au
