World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. In May 1940, he enlisted in the 2nd/13th Australian Infantry Battalion, which arrived in the Middle East in November 1940. He served in the Siege of Tobruk, Libya, from April 1941 until the garrison was relieved in December 1941. Promoted to Sergeant in September 1942, he was wounded on October 24, 1942, during the Battle of El Alamein and was hospitalized. He embarked for Australia with his unit in January 1943 and served in the Huon Peninsula Campaign in the Territory of New Guinea that commenced in September 1943. He was awarded the Military Medal and returned to Australia for officer training. He was appointed Lieutenant in January 1944 and joined the 2nd/2nd Australian Infantry Battalion, which served in the Territory of New Guinea during 1945. On March 25, 1945, southwest of Dagua, he rushed a Japanese-held knoll and silenced two machine guns. Although mortally wounded, he reached the enemy's foxholes and killed two more soldiers before he died. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. In May 1940, he enlisted in the 2nd/13th Australian Infantry Battalion, which arrived in the Middle East in November 1940. He served in the Siege of Tobruk, Libya, from April 1941 until the garrison was relieved in December 1941. Promoted to Sergeant in September 1942, he was wounded on October 24, 1942, during the Battle of El Alamein and was hospitalized. He embarked for Australia with his unit in January 1943 and served in the Huon Peninsula Campaign in the Territory of New Guinea that commenced in September 1943. He was awarded the Military Medal and returned to Australia for officer training. He was appointed Lieutenant in January 1944 and joined the 2nd/2nd Australian Infantry Battalion, which served in the Territory of New Guinea during 1945. On March 25, 1945, southwest of Dagua, he rushed a Japanese-held knoll and silenced two machine guns. Although mortally wounded, he reached the enemy's foxholes and killed two more soldiers before he died. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
Bio by: Anthony Staunton
Inscription
NX24405 LIEUTENANT
A. CHOWNE, VC., MM.
2/2 INFANTRY BATTALION
25TH MARCH 1945 AGE 24
HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR THOSE HE LOVED
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