Medals and Awards

25 Nov 1916 - Awarded the Military Cross - (Gazette)
Citation: Captain Thomas Ainsworth Townsend, Royal Army Medical Corps.
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He displayed great courage and determination in rescuing several men who had been buried under heavy fire. On three previous occasions he had done very fine work."

18 Jul Nov 1918 - Posthumously Awarded the Bar to His Military Cross - (Gazette)

Citation: Captain Thomas Ainsworth Townsend, Royal Army Medical Corps.

"For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Although twice wounded he refused to have his wound attended to, and continued to dress the wounded (under & continuous and heavy concentration of high-explosive and gas shells. Not only did he attend the wounded and gassed of his own unit but rendered aid, under conditions of great difficulty, to wounded of neighbouring battalions, whojse. medical officers had become casualties. His complete disregard of personal danger and splendid devotion were a magnificent example to all".

1st/20th Bn War Diary

24.3.18 – North of Rocquigny – Ecquancourt Road: Early morning, enemy was seen advancing over Lechelle Ridge in large numbers but range too far for our L.G.s [Lewis Guns]. They advanced into sunken ground between us and Lechelle, unfortunately we could not get any artillery on to them and they were therefore able to reform there and to work round close up to 19^th and enfiladed and trench mortared them.

19^th were forced to retire and 18^th with them leaving our right flank exposed. We decided to hang as long as possible and our D Coy formed defensive flank on right manning both sides of trench. Enemy at this point had got into part of village of Rocquigny and were firing into our rear.

As position was serious C.O. saw C.O. of 12^th Manchester who were on our left and both decided to support each other to the last. About this time 3 tanks advanced from Manchester’s front and temporarily checked enemy with their M.G. fire, causing many of them to run back. Tanks returned however and enemy then advanced in large numbers on Manchesters causing them suddenly to retire, which left us isolated.

The C.O. therefore gave orders for Battn to withdraw to Beaulencourt which proved a very difficult operation as enemy were on three sides of us and close up to us. C.O. stayed to see last of Battalion out and was apparently captured. Battalion suffered heavy losses during withdrawal and a few reached Beaulencourt but found no line there.

No detailed account of operations from this point can be given as whole Brigade was necessarily scattered. The survivors collected at High Wood and held a line there that night.

25.3.18 – Contal Maison: At 3am remains of Brigade withdraw to Contal Maison. Major W.B. Vince DSO, MC (1/8^th London) took over command.

26.3.18 – Millencourt: Relived by 12^th Division and formed up at Millencourt. During afternoon Division trecked back. This Battalion trecked to and was billeted in, Vauchelles.

Letters to Family and Tributes

Letters were received from those who had been eye-witnesses of Captain Townsend's courage and devotion, and agreed with remarkable
unanimity in their appreciation. Thank you to Rugby School for the information taken from his School Biography

Some sailors were visiting the trenches at the time when the Hairpin Trench near Ypres was blown up, and their
Officer wrote to say that Captain Townsend had been quite splendid, absolutely cool and calm in the midst of the most awful confusion and
destruction, and he added: " He is the bravest man I have ever met."

A Doctor wrote: "An old Guy's man, a Regimental M.O., said to me last year at Poperinghe, 'Townsend is, in my mind,the bravest man in the British Army.'

Another letter said: "I have found two men who knew your son very well in France. Both say that he was one of the bravest men in France, and one who never thought of himself, but only of others. He defied and scorned danger of any kind, and inspired everyone by his splendid bravery."

A stretcher-bearer wrote: " He was an exceptionally brave man and a grand example for many. From the moment of the onslaught Captain Townsend worked most nobly and brilliantly. Previously to his having been wounded he was seen to perform a most conspicuous act of gallantry in face of the enemy. In Bourlon Wood he worked unceasingly under awful conditions. I never was able to understand how ever he managed to escape being gassed. No greater man ever attended the wounded and dying, as did he on that never-to-be-forgotten occasion."