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Posts : 3205 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon
Subject: Re: Percy Patrick Townsend Thu Feb 12, 2015 11:21 pm
Hi Littlehand
I am unable to find him listed on the Medal Roll.
90th
Posts : 10482 Join date : 2009-04-07 Age : 66 Location : Melbourne, Australia
Subject: Percy Patrick Townsend Fri Feb 13, 2015 9:09 pm
Littlehand I would be wary in believing what is written in Australian Papers regarding those who claim , or claimed to be Veterans of the AZW . Nonetheless , they are worth saving for posterity's sake I suppose , and there will be some that are indeed correct , also the Medal Rolls arent flawless as we know 90th
Dread73
Posts : 2 Join date : 2015-12-01
Subject: Re: Percy Patrick Townsend Wed Dec 02, 2015 2:57 am
Hi, I was also searching for some information on Patrick Percy Townsend MM and his previous service.
He arrived at Gallipoli in May 1915 as 2028 Pte Townsend of the 9th Battalion aged 60!! He lied about his age and claimed he was 42. Born in Nova Scotia and lived what looks like a pretty interesting life.
A former 9th Battalion OC spoke of 'Old Dad' Townsend in the battalion newsletter in 1952 saying:
He was born in Nova Scotia in 1855 Served in the Zulu Wars 1879 Served in the Sudan 1885 Emigrated to Australia Served in China Served in the Boer War Served aboard a Russian Supply vessel during the Russo-Japanese War in 1904 Joined the AIF in 1915 and landed at Gallipoli aged 60 with the 5th reinforcements of the 9th Battalion Wounded twice before eventually RTA in 1916 and was awarded the Military Medal
Several old Diggers (in 1953) said that 'Old Dad' was one of the toughest men they ever served with during the war. Despite his age and infirmities he never attended sick parade ... but would often stealthily visit the Field Ambulance for a pocketful of aspirins.
He passed away in Brisbane in 1956 - aged 101
The clipping in the first post of this thread was from 2 years before his death and the first time 'Old Dad' and attended a battalion reunion.
I have a more than sneaking suspicion that 'Old Dad' was a bit of a bullshitter as I cant see anyone being able to have that much prior service ...
impi
Posts : 2308 Join date : 2010-07-02 Age : 42
Subject: Re: Percy Patrick Townsend Wed Dec 02, 2015 8:02 am
Subject: Re: Percy Patrick Townsend Wed Dec 09, 2015 5:01 pm
In my biographical register, I've found his unverified and unlikely service as follows:
TOWNSEND Percy Patrick Dad. Born Halifax, Novia Scotia 1860. Rebellion in Canada. Boatman, Sudan operation 1885. French Foreign Legion. Captain, Dragoon Guards. Trooper, North West Mounted Police. Matabele War. Rhodesian Police – 1 year. Anglo-Boer War; South African Light Horse. Colenso, Spion Kop. Zulu Rebellion 1906 (Not on roll). Philipines war. Bolivian Army, Brazil / Peru revolution – OC of Troops in Bolivia. 1914-18; (AIF). Enlisted 11.1.15. Private, 9th Battalion. Corporal. Wounded in action 25.7.16 (Aged 57 years). Claimed 17 bullet wounds. Died 12.6.1956.
Cam.
Kenny
Posts : 465 Join date : 2013-05-07 Location : Brecon
Subject: Re: Percy Patrick Townsend Thu Dec 10, 2015 12:23 am
There is certainly 2028 Cpl Percy Patrick Townsend awarded Military Medal - LG 27.10.1916 (p10488)
90th
Posts : 10482 Join date : 2009-04-07 Age : 66 Location : Melbourne, Australia
Subject: Percy Patrick Townsend Thu Dec 10, 2015 12:32 am
It seems from Cam's post Townsend didn't take part in the AZW of 1879 , Graves also didn't find him on the Medal Roll , although they can have omissions etc etc . 90th
Frank Allewell
Posts : 8231 Join date : 2009-09-21 Age : 75 Location : Cape Town South Africa
Subject: Re: Percy Patrick Townsend Thu Dec 10, 2015 4:31 am
From the South African Light Horse listings:
Tong C 36497 Trooper 2/25/1902 time expired Town JM 36429 Trooper 6/11/1901 medically unfit Towns JH 25008 Trooper 2/10/1901 time expired Townsend LA 36424 Trooper 3/3/1902 time expired Townshend GJF 1829 Trooper 2/25/1901 completion of service Tribos M 2576 Trooper 12/14/1901 time expired Troy W 37591 Trooper 2/4/1902 time expired
This is the only Townsend I have listed.
Cheers
Dread73
Posts : 2 Join date : 2015-12-01
Subject: Re: Percy Patrick Townsend Tue Mar 01, 2016 12:22 pm
cam simpson wrote:
In my biographical register, I've found his unverified and unlikely service as follows:
Cam.
G'day Cam, where abouts did you grab that info? I'm doing up an article on 'Old Dad' Townshend. I never saw any previous info about the Dragoon Guards or French Foreign Legion ... Rhodesia, South Africa and WW1 seem the only reliable ones with several mentions in other sources and being the only ones on his AIF attestation form.
While a Batman for a 9th Battalion Officer, he did tell stories of serving in South America and being owed land as payment for his service.
17 Bullet wounds is also a furphy. His AIF Attestation form includes a Medical Exam which only lists a scar on his knee and a tattoo on his arm. During WW1 he was admitted to hospital with Pyrexia (Fever) while on Lemnos after evacuation from Gallipoli before being 'wounded' at Poziers. The Official history of the 9th's only mention of Townshend was to say that he was hit by a shell but failed to be killed. His medical record only states 'Contusions of the Back' and he was subsequently RTA as Overage (54) and Shell Shock.
cam simpson
Posts : 90 Join date : 2014-10-10
Subject: Re: Percy Patrick Townsend Fri Mar 04, 2016 5:56 pm
The notes I've had for about 20 years now and I believe came from the RSL Journal Reveille and CEW Beans biographical cards held at the Australian War Memorial.