Percy Gilchrist Towl DSO (Capt.) was born in Ballarat and educated at Ballarat College. He enlisted in Melbourne on the June 18th 1915. He was 36 years old, and a trained pharmacist who was working as a geologist & mineralogist. He joined the 37th Infantry Battalion and embarked from Melbourne aboard the Persic in early June 1916, reaching France in late November. In October 1917 he sustained a head wound at Broodseinde and was evacuated to hospital in England. He returned to France in March 1918 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for ' conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty and inspired leadership on the night of 29th 30th August 1918.'
He was also Mentioned in Despatches by Sir Douglas Haig, Commander of the British Expeditionary Forces. On the September 8th 1918 he died of wounds suffered while his battalion was on duty in the trenches along the Somme. He is buried in Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres, France.