V.C. London Gazette 6 January 1919:
‘For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Mericourt on 6 October 1918, when, under heavy fire, five runners having failed to deliver an important message, Private Towers, well aware of the fate of the runners who had already attempted the task, volunteered for the duty. In spite of heavy fire opened on him as soon as he moved, he went straight through from cover to cover and eventually delivered the message. His valour, determination, and utter disregard of danger were an inspiring example to all.’
James Towers was born at 8 Wildman Street, Preston, Lancashire on 8 September 1897, the son of James and Betty Towers. At the time of his birth his father was employed as a cotton loomer but he later took up farming at Broughton, in which work he was assisted by young James after he had attended Emmanuel Boys School. Enlisting underage in the West Lancashire Artillery in July 1915, Towers was quickly discharged when his true age was established, but he re-enlisted in the 5th Dragoon Guards in August 1916. Subsequently transferred to the infantry, he joined the 2nd Battalion, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), and went to France in December 1916, where his unit formed part of 59th Infantry Brigade, 20th Division.
Supreme courage at Mericourt - V.C.
On 6 October 1918, during the Final Advance to Victory, Towers and his comrades in the 2nd Battalion found themselves holding a railway embankment at Mericourt, three miles south-west of Lens in the Avion Sector. Coming under considerable pressure from the enemy, orders were given to retire, an order which failed to reach a platoon in ‘B’ Company under the command of 2nd Lieutenant W. R. Jack, as it had become cut-off in an isolated position between the lines of advancing Germans. The only means of communication between ‘B’ Company Headquarters and 2nd Lieutenant Jack was by orderly and so a volunteer was called for, a runner to pass on news of the order to retire to the stranded platoon. The first volunteer was killed. Four more volunteers suffered a similar fate in quick succession: James Towers, who had witnessed all five men going down, now stepped forward.
It is said he had a natural sporting ability, the result of leaping dykes and fences on his father’s farm. If so, it was an ability about to serve him well, for the moment he embarked on his seemingly suicidal mission, heavy enfilading machine-gun fire was upon him. Darting from shell-hole to shell-hole, and crawling through wire entanglements, he came across the slumped body of the first volunteer runner - one of his best friends, Private Frank Dunlop.
Undeterred, and hugging the ground, Towers continued on his way until he reached an embankment. Opting for the element of surprise, he broke into a run and leapt over the top, only to land within a few yards of a German machine-gun nest: he landed on his toes and with a few quick bounds disappeared into the mist before the startled Germans had time to react.
Unaware as to the exact location of the missing platoon - ‘The worst part was that I didn’t know just where our chaps were’ - the gallant Cameronian’s persistence eventually paid off, and upon locating them he dug-in with his comrades for the night. The following day, in the early dawn mist, and making use of his newly acquired knowledge of the whereabouts of enemy machine-gun posts, he led the ‘lost platoon’ safely back to B Company area, recovering the bodies of numerous fallen comrades en-route. He was awarded the Victoria Cross, ‘his valour, determination, and utter disregard of danger,’ had been an inspiring example to all who witnessed it. For their coolness and gallant conduct during the operation, 2nd Lieut. Jack received the M.C. and three M.M.s were awardeded to N.C.O. s and men of his platoon.
Invested with his V.C. by H.M. King George V in the Quadrangle at Buckingham Palace on 8 May 1919, Towers returned to the Palace to attend the V.C. Garden Party in June of the following year. He was also one of 74 V.C. holders who formed a special Guard of Honour for the burial of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey on 11 November 1920.
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