John Frederick TOWERS

John Frederick TOWERS Update Details

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TOWERS, John Frederick

Service Numbers:	347, 2266
Enlisted:	3 April 1916
Last Rank:	Corporal
Last Unit:	49th Infantry Battalion
Born:	London, England, date not yet discovered
Home Town:	Wycarbah, Rockhampton, Queensland
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Farmer
Memorials:

Boer War Service

1 Oct 1899:	Involvement Private, 347, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen
6 Mar 1901:	Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 347, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 488 notes 5th QIB embarked at Pinkenba 6 Mar 1901 aboard Templemore arriving Port Elizabeth 1 Apr 1901.
26 Mar 1902:	Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 347, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 6th QIB, Bk 3 p. 14, notes war gratuity paid out in South Africa. Report in Brisbane Courier, 16 May 1902, notes discharged in South Africa for employment.

World War 1 Service

3 Apr 1916:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2266, 52nd Infantry Battalion
16 Aug 1916:	Embarked Private, 2266, 52nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Boorara, Brisbane
16 Aug 1916:	Involvement Private, 2266, 52nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Boorara embarkation_ship_number: A42 public_note: ''
12 May 1919:	Involvement AIF WW1, Corporal, 49th Infantry Battalion

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Biography contributed by Claude McKelvey

When John Frederick Towers enlisted in 1901 for the South African (Boer) war in the 5th QIB and his details were published with the rank and file in The Queenslander, 16 Mar 1901, he noted his N.O.K. as his mother Mrs. L. Towers, Islefo, Isisford.

The Boer War Service Paybooks for the 5th QIB, Bk 3 p. 14 indicate that his war gratuity was paid out in South Africa. Newspaper reports in May 1902 note that he was discharged in South Africa to take up employment there.

He had made his way back to Queensland where, in 1916, he enlisted for WW1. On his Attestation Form, dated 3 Apr 1916, it is noted he; was born at London, Middlesex, England, was 35 years of age, and working as a farmer; was married and his N.O.K. was his wife Mrs. Ellen Towers, Wycarbah, Qld; and he had previously served in the 5th QIB in the Boer war.

(source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 500; Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 5th QIB, Bk 3 p. 14; National Archives Australia- WW1 service record; newspaper articles- see links).

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