Harold Rowlan Townson

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 24/05/2016 - 09:14

First Name:

Harold

Middle Name:

Rowlan

Last Name:

Townson

Date of Birth:

Thursday, April 3, 1884

Mother's Name:

Ellen Townson nee Trezise

Father's Name:

John Townson

Date Enlisted:

Tuesday, November 23, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

2nd Lieutenant

Rank at Discharge:

Lieutenant

Unit:

19th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Date of Death:

Wednesday, May 2, 1951

Place of Death:

Manly, N.S.W.

Details:

Harold Townson was born in Reedy Creek, Victoria.

At enlistment Harold was 32 years of age, single, and worked as a paymaster with the NSW Public Works at Wollongong, N.S.W.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A14 Euripides with 15th Reinforcements, 19th Battalion, on 9th September 1916, carrying the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He arrived in England on 26th October 1916 and joined the battalion in France on 25th January 1917.

Harold saw service on the Western Front until he was wounded in action at Bullecourt on 3rd May 1917 and evacuated to hospital in England for treatment of gun shot wounds to his chest and neck.

On 26th September 1917 he was promoted to Lieutenant.

Harold did not return to the front and was returned to Australia in April 1918 and discharged on 21st June 1918.

On 28th October 1918 he re-enlisted as a Private but the war ended only weeks later and he was discharged on 20th December 1918.

Harold returned to Public Works. In 1919 he married Minnette Greenway at Grafton, N.S.W. Harold was known to be a champion billiards player.

Harold's brother John Jenkins Townson also served, and was killed in action.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, TOWNSON HAROLD ROWLAN