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He was 43 and died in Hammersmith.

Deaths Mar 1919   TOWER William 43 Hammersmith 1a 455

Son of Elizabeth Tower of Newtown, Beechworth, Victoria

17 February 1917 - to hospital with Measles

18 April 1917 - to hospital with Mumps

Not eligible for any medals

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland

Died on this date – 7th March…… Frederick William Garbaud Tower (name as per Victoria BD& M’s website) was born at Beechworth, Victoria on 29th October, 1886 to parents Joseph Vincent & Elizabeth Sentry Tower (nee Fulham). (Note: There are several Family Trees on Ancestry -some list his name as Frederick William Garland Tower; others have him listed as Frederick William Fulham Tower & others have the surname as Towers.)

Frederick William Fulham Towers (name as per Victoria BD& M’s website) married Florentina Main in Victoria in 1916. [Note: Several Family Trees on Ancestry have Leslie William Towers, son of Frederick William Fulham Tower & Florentina Tower, who was born on 22nd July, 1917 (16 months after his father embarked). Victorian Births, Deaths & Marriages has a birth recorded in 1917 for Leslie William Towers – mother - Florrie Main & father Leslie William Towers]

In January & February, 1916 several newspaper articles were written regarding William Towers & being charged with vagrancy.

Newspaper item – Ovens and Murray Advertiser, Beechworth, Victoria – 8 January, 1916:
Beechworth Police Court

Vagrancy
“Constable Bartholomew deposed to arresting accused at his mother’s house at the Two Mile on 3rd January. Believed Tower has a piece of ground at Yellow Creek. Had known him for twelve months, and had never known him to do any work. Had seen him frequently at the Star Hotel, Beechworth, and at Yellow Creek. From something he had been told he went to Yellow Creek last Thursday, and saw accused in company with a man named Short. They had Indian clubs with them, and were basking in the sun. From the appearance of their skin they had been doing this for several days. Had had accused under observation for 12 months, and had never know him to do any work, nor had he heard of him being employed by anyone. Inspected accused’s land at Yellow Creek, but could see no improvements effected. When Tower was arrested he said he had money on him. Asked him whom he worked for last, and accused said he did not know. He said he had done a bit of mining and sold the gold at Shaw’s. He also said that he had a crop of tomatoes last year, which he sold in the town, and had also sold poultry. Witness saw no tomatoes at accused’s place. Accused said he had done a bit of grubbing for his mother, but she gave him no money for it. Questioned his mother, and she said her son stopped at her place sometimes three or four nights and sometimes as many weeks. His mother was in receipt of the old-age pension. Examined accused’s ground and found a number of trees felled on about a quarter of an acre, and about the same space burnt off. About half an acre would be the largest area so treated. On the way to the lock-up Tower said witness should withdraw the charge, as he had enlisted. Was in court on the 1st June last, and heard Mr Ryan say that Tower would enlist, but he had not done so. When arrested accused had £2 on him.

William Tower, the accused, deposed that he was a miner residing at Yellow Creek. He had got his mother to sell several parcels of gold for him, amounting in all to £16 9s. 8d (The list was read out by Mr Ryan). Got this gold in Yellow Creek and Two Mile Creek as a result of his own labor. Had £2 in his possession when arrested. Had other cash at home, which at Mr Ryan’s request he produced in court that day. This amounted in all to £8 – gold, silver and notes. This was in his room at his mother’s house when he was arrested, and was his own money. He also had gold in the house to the value of £5, which he produced. Some of the gold was cleaned and ready for selling, and was earned by him in Two Mile Creek and Yellow Creek. During the past year he had done a fair amount of dealing. He sold a horse to Thomas Last for £6 10s, also a draught horse to William Short for £8 cash, and a black horse. Sold a pony through Flanagan, Newman & Co., Wangaratta for £2 15s., and sold a bicycle to a man named Anderson for £4 10s. He had also sold pigs and poultry through Mr Grisdale, Beechworth, and had bought several articles of furniture etc. Also sold tomatoes and other vegetables during the year at several places in the town. Had plenty of money to keep him going comfortably, and he had not loafed on his mother. His mother had never given him any money since he was a child, but he had often given his mother money to purchase food etc., for him. For the last six months he had lived with his mother and kept the house. He had intended to enlist in June last, but his father was very ill at that time and died shortly after. Before being arrested he had filled in a recruiting card and expressed his willingness to enlist…..
The Bench retired for five minutes, when Mr Ingram, J.P. announced that Tower would be convicted and sentenced to six month’s imprisonment."

At the Appeal William Tower stated he had “had enlisted and had been accepted by the military authorities for service abroad,…… As Tower had enlisted and gone away on a troopship to the front he (His Honor) allowed the appeal without costs. Mr M. P. Ryan appeared for Tower both at the Police Court and at the General sessions.”

William Tower enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 18th January, 1916 as a 29 year old, single, Labourer.

On 14th March, 1916 Private William Tower, Service number 2772, embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Anchises (A68) with the 8th Infantry Brigade, 29th Infantry Battalion, 5th Reinforcements & disembarked at Suez on 15th April, 1916.

He was admitted to Government Hospital at Suez on 15th April, 1916 with Measles (no date recorded for his discharge)

Private Tower proceeded overseas from Alexandria on 6th June, 1916 per Franconia with 8th Training Battalion.

Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located in the Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire.

He was taken on strength of Headquarters Training Depot at Tidworth, Wiltshire, England on 25th July, 1916. Private Tower was taken on strength of A.P.M. (Assistant Provost Marshal) Staff at Rollestone, Wiltshire on 25th July, 1916. Private Tower was marched out to A.P.M. from Bhurtpore Barracks, Wiltshire on 19th August, 1916. He was taken on strength of Anzac Provost Corps at Tidworth, Wiltshire on 1st January, 1917.

Private William Tower was admitted to Military Hospital, Tidworth, England on 17th February, 1917 with Measles. He was discharged to duty on 5th March, 1917.

On 18th April, 1917 Private Tower was admitted to Parkhouse Military Hospital, Wiltshire, England with Mump & was discharged on 5th May, 1917.
He proceeded overseas to France on 13th July, 1917 from Anzac Provost Corps at Tidworth. He was marched in the A.G.B.D. (Australian General Base Depot) at Rouelles, France on 14th July, 1917. Private Tower was marched out to his Unit on 28th July, 1917 from A.G.B.D. & was taken on strength of Anzac Provost Corps with B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force) on 31st July, 1917 from Anzac Provost Corps in England.

Anzac Provost Corps:
The corps was made up of men who had served in fighting units in operations against the enemy. In camps and rear areas, the military police conducted patrols, escorted prisoners of war and visiting dignitaries, maintained discipline and ran the military detention centres. In the field their duties included route reconnaissance, water discipline, guarding stores and investigating spies and saboteurs. The name of the Corps was changed to the Australian Provost Corps in February, 1918. (Information - AWM)

Private Tower was detached for duty to 2nd Australian Division on 2nd August, 1917. He was transferred to 29th Battalion on 11th August, 1917 & was taken on strength of 29th Battalion the same day.

On 7th November, 1917 Private Tower reported sick. He was admitted to 8th Field Ambulance on 7th November, 1917 with ulcers on left leg. Private Tower was transferred & admitted to 5th D.R.S. (Divisional Rest Station) on 7th November, 1917 then transferred on 8th November, 1917 to 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station. He was transferred to Ambulance Train 16 on 10th November, 1917 & admitted to 9th General Hospital at Rouen, France on 11th November, 1917. Private Tower was transferred & admitted to 2nd Convalescent Depot on 14th November, 1917. He was transferred & admitted to 6th General Hospital at Rouen on 24th November, 1917 with P.U.O. (Pyrexia (fever) of unknown origin). Private Tower was transferred to England on 28th November, 1917 on Hospital Ship St. Patrick.

He was admitted to Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, England on 29th November, 1917 – P.U.O. He was transferred to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford on 17th December, 1917 with Trench Fever. Private Tower was discharged from 3rd Auxiliary Hospital on 14th January, 1918 to No. 4 Command Depot.

Private Tower was marched in to No. 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott on 18th April, 1918 from No. 4 Command Depot at Hurdcott, Wiltshire, England.

On 20th April, 1918 Private Tower was sent sick to Brigade Hospital, Hurdcott an Abscess on Foot. He was marched in to No. 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott from Brigade Hospital on 6th May, 1918 then marched in to No. 4 Command Depot at Hurdcott on 14th May, 1918 from No. 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott. He was A.W.L. (Absent without Leave) from No. 4 Command Depot at Hurdcott from 15th May, 1918.

He was declared an illegal absentee by a Court of Inquiry held at Hurdcott, Wiltshire on 27th June, 1918.

Private William Tower died on 7th March, 1919 at 18 Wilson’s Road, South Hammersmith, London, England from Pneumonia & Syncope whilst an illegal absentee from A.I.F.

He was buried in Hammersmith Old Cemetery, London, England (also known as Margravine Cemetery, Hammersmith, Greater London, England). He is named on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Screen Wall as he does not have a headstone.

Private William Tower was NOT entitled to British War Medal & the Victory Medal. His file was marked “Automatically Forfeits Board Proceedings date 30 August, 1922.” Normally a Memorial Scroll & Memorial Plaque were also sent to late Soldier’s next-of-kin but in Private Tower’s case if was not entitled to these also due to the fact that he had been classed as an illegal absentee.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/hammersmith.html