Edgar Thomas Towner, VC, MC (19 April 1890 – 18 August 1972) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces.

A lieutenant in the Australian Imperial Force during the First World War, Towner was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 1 September 1918, during an attack on Mont St. Quentin on the Western Front.

During June 1918, Towner led a machine gun section in attack near Morlancourt and assisted the infantry in reaching its objectives under heavy fire, for which he was awarded the Military Cross.

In September, again commanding a machine gun section, he was involved in the Allied counteroffensive that broke the German lines at Mont St. Quentin and Péronne.

Fighting for thirty hours after being wounded, his "conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty" earned him the Victoria Cross, which was presented by King George V in April 1919.

He was promoted to sergeant on 1 February, before departing with the battalion at Alexandria the following month to join the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front.

[4] Promoted to lieutenant on 24 February 1917,[8] Towner's service with his transport section earned him praise for his "devotion to duty and consistent good work",[9] and on 9 April he was Mentioned in the Despatches of Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig.

[12] By using captured German machine guns he was able to increase his section's fire[8] and provide support to the company on his right as it advanced, seized, and consolidated its position.

[3] Armed with four Vickers machine guns,[14] the section was attached to the right flank of the 24th Australian Infantry Battalion, whose principal objective was to seize the summit of Mont St. Quentin.

[15] Locating a German machine gun that was causing heavy losses among the advancing troops, Towner rushed the position and single-handedly killed the crew with his revolver.

[14] Under heavy incoming fire, Towner then scouted over open terrain to locate advantageous positions from which his guns could offer further support.

This he brought into action "in full view of the enemy";[3][14] his effective fire forced the Germans to retire further, and allowed one of the stalled Australian flanks to push ahead.

[1][14] German machine gunners had occupied a commanding vantage overlooking the sunken road, and began to rain down heavy fire around Towner's position.

Refusing to be evacuated for medical treatment, Towner continued firing his gun as the German pressure increased and the situation grew critical.

[1][16] He provided supporting fire for the 21st Australian Infantry Battalion as they assaulted a heavily fortified crater on Mont St. Quentin's summit, and repeatedly reconnoitred the German position to reported on troop movements.

For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty on 1st September, 1918, in the attack on Mont St. Quentin, near Peronne, when in charge of four Vickers guns.

During the following night he steadied and gave valuable support to a small detached post, and by his coolness and cheerfulness inspirited the men in a great degree.

[8][20] After a period as a company commander he was promoted to temporary major and second-in-command of the battalion, under fellow Victoria Cross recipient Lieutenant Colonel Harry Murray.

In 1946, he successfully lobbied the Australian Government to issue a postage stamp commemorating the centenary of Mitchell's discoveries in central Queensland.

His funeral took place three days later, with a large number of Longreach citizens lining the streets to see his coffin pass by atop a gun carriage.