Second Lieutenant Cyril John Towler of the 41st Training Depot Station, was born on the 21st of May 1896 the son of Frank Towler and Mary Anne Shelley of St Mildreds, Seaford and baptised June 21st at Christ Church Hornsey; the service being performed by the Reverend Edmonstone. Frank is recorded as a butler.

The 1911 census records him living with his family at St Mildreds, Sutton Avenue. William Barry Rawson, aged 61, was born at Manchester was living on private means. The Towler family were Frank, aged 55, born at Chilbolton, Hampshire and was “an attendant on lunatic”. Mary Jane, aged 45, born at Farnborough, Hampshire was a housekeeper. Children recorded were Frank, aged 16, and Cyril, aged 14, both office boys and Albert Dennis, aged 9 all born at Haywards Heath. There were two other servants. Alice Carter, aged 25, born at Wadhurst and Rose Alec, aged 16, born at Piddinghoe.

Cyril enlisted into the army with the Royal Engineers, service number 32343, and was promoted to Corporal. He was transferred to the 3rd Battalion Royal West Kent Regimental and his Medal Index Card records that he went to the Western Front on the 30th of July 1915. The address of his father is given as 15 Highgate Avenue, London.

The London Gazette for the 17th of April 1917 records that the “undermentioned Cadets to be 2nd Lts as of the 8th of April 1917 unless otherwise stated. 28th of March 1917", Royal West Kent Regiment, Cyril John Towler.

His service record notes that he then served in India and Mesopotamia and with effect from January 1918, he was placed on the Egypt Nominal Roll and was transferred to the RAF upon commission to 2nd Lieutenant on the 13th of May 1918. He then returned to the UK and was posted to 41 TDS with effect 6th July to fly scouts (i.e. fighters).

The London Gazette for the 30th of July 1918. "RAF Flying Branch. The undermentioned are granted temporary commands as 2nd Lts (A&S) 13th of May 1918." Cyril John Towler (2nd Lt Royal West Kent Regiment, Special Reserve).

Cyril became a flying instructor 41 Training Depot Station was based at London Colney, Hertfordshire. On the 4th of September 1918, he was flying SE5a D6175, instructing 2nd Lt H S A Dunlop. Recovering from a dive near Seaford, the aircraft broke up in flight and crashed, killing Cyril. The Coroner’s report COR/1/3/752, dated the 6th of September 1918 records that the aircraft broke up following the breaking of a stagger wire, the verdict of accidental death was given.

The probate record for Cyril notes that his estate of £114-8-10d was administered to his father, who is recorded as a private attendant.

Cyril is buried in Seaford in the family grave with his parents, Mary, died 25th of September 1933, Frank, died on the 25th of March 1936, and Cyril’s brothers, Frank, died 19th of October 1971 aged 77, and Albert, died 9th of December 1959, aged 58.