James Towers

James Towers, VC (9 September 1897 – 24 January 1977) was an English soldier, farmer, and a recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. A soldier with The Cameronians during the First World War, he was awarded the VC for his actions on 6 October 1918, during the Hundred Days Offensive. Early life Born on 9 September 1897 in the village of Broughton, in Lancashire, James Towers was the son of a farmer. Educated at Emmanuel Boys' School, he later worked on his father's dairy farm. First World War In July 1915, when Towers was 17 and therefore underage, he joined the British Army's West Lancashire Artillery. His true age was discovered and he was discharged and sent home. In August the following year, and now aged 18, he enlisted in the 5th Dragoon Guards, a cavalry regiment but was soon transferred to serve in the infantry with the 2nd Battalion, The Cameronians, also known as the Scottish Rifles. He departed for the Western Front in December 1916. Towers' battalion was originally part of the 23rd Brigade, 8th Infantry Division but by the time of the Hundred Days Offensive it was serving with the 20th Division. On 6 October 1918, the battalion was defending the village of Méricourt, east of the Beaurevoir Line. It had been ordered to evacuate as German forces surrounded the village and opened fire but a party of 30 men from one company did not receive the instructions to do so. Volunteers were asked to take messages to the missing party and guide them back to British lines. Five men individually set out but all were killed.