Townsend, Thomas Ainsworth
Townsend, Thomas Ainsworth, Capt., M.C., R.A.M.C. T.F., 24th London Regiment. Was educated at New College, Oxford, and entered Guy’s in October, 1909. He passed the Final Conjoint in 1914 and held the appointment of Opthalmic House Surgeon till January, 1915. He afterwards left for service in Serbia, and subsequently went to France. He was awarded the M.C. in 1916. Bar to M.C., 1918. Order of St. Sava (Serbia). Wounded 1917. Killed in action at Rocquigny, March 24th, 1918. Guy’s Hospital Reports Vol LXX, War Memorial Number
Biographical
| Surname(s) | Townsend |
|---|---|
| First name(s) | Thomas Ainsworth |
| Family details | Step-son of Ursula Velst Townsend and the late Thomas Sutton Townsend, of Clifton Manor, near Rugby. |
| Previous education | Rugby, New College, Oxford |
| College | Guy's Hospital |
| Dates at college | 1907-1914 |
| Dept / course | Conjoint Diploma |
| Military unit | R.A.M.C.; London Regiment attd. 1st/20th Bn. |
| Date enlisted | 1915 |
| War / conflict | World War One (1914-1918) |
| Campaigns | Serbia with Red Cross Unit Jan - Oct 1915; France as officer Oct. 1915- March 1918 |
| Decorations / medals | M.C. & Bar; Order of St. Sava (Serbia) |
| Citation(s) | M.C.Supplement to the London Gazette, 25th November 1916: M.C. 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 has done very fine work. Bar to M.C.:For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.. Although twice wounded he refused to have his wounds attended to, and continued to dress the wounded under a continuous and heavy concentration of high explosives 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 whose medical officers had become casualties. His complete disregard of personal danger and splendid devotion were a magnificent example to all. |
| Date of death | 24/03/1918 |
| Age at death | 32 |
| Rank at death | Captain |
| Place of death | near Rocquigny, France |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Commemoration(s) | Guy's Hospital Memorial; Arras Memorial |
| Notes | O.T.C.: Wounded and missing believed killed near Rocquigny while staying behind with a wounded man when the regiment retired on 24th March 1918. |
| Sources | Guy’s Hospital Archives at King’s College; Commonwealth War Graves Commission; University of London O.T.C. 1914-19; |