For over 80 years Clarence Bignell Towers, “Clarrie”, was a well-loved figure in Harrington and surrounds. He was born in 18932 and was working as a bushman cutting sleepers when he first heard about WWI. Clarrie signed up in 1914 and was among the youngest to land at Gallipoli. Despite being wounded and presumed dead, he rejoined his battalion for the evacuation from Gallipoli. Clarrie was later sent to Pozieres, France where he suffered dreadful gunshot and bomb wounds that affected him for the rest of his life.3
While recovering in an English hospital Clarrie married Dora Polak a hospital volunteer from Brussels.4 Unfortunately their marriage didn’t last.5 Clarrie returned to Harrington where he worked as a labourer and lived in a tent on the Harrington Reserve (caravan park in 2024). During the 1930’s Depression several displaced men lived in tents on the Reserve and used fishing as a means of food and income.6 In 1939 Clarrie became caretaker of Harrington Reserve and intermittently continued this role in the following decades.7
Also in 1939, Clarrie bought a shop on the corner of Crowdy and Granter Streets, Harrington.8 Along with his new love, Dot Field, they operated a store and later tearoom where holidaying families could enjoy a meal.9 Despite his injuries Clarrie led a very active life. He continued timber cutting, particularly ti-tree knees used in boat building,10 he leased nine acres for a vegetable garden and bee farm,11 and was a fisherman, poet and musician.
Clarrie, an original ANZAC, passed away in 1982.12
…Some good you’ll always find
In the worst of all mankind
If you stop and think and try to understand
You’ll find some good in all
Maybe it’s only small
A grain of rutile in a ton of sand…13
C B Towers, 8 February 1957
Author: Janine Roberts
Related articles:
- To read more about Clarrie’s life visit: https://www.manningrivertimes.com.au/story/3027783/our-clarrie-towers/
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“Coast Town” – a prizewinning film: https://midcoaststories.com/2021/09/coast-town-a-prizewinning-film/
References:
1 Robert Lowe, “Coast Town”, 1939. A short film held at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.
2 NSW BDM, Birth Index No. 34981/1893.
3 NAA: B2455, TOWERS Clarence, Service Number: 1057.
4 Sydney Mail, 1 August 1917, 13.
5 Daily Telegraph, 13 April 1922, 5.
6 Northern Champion, 28 February 1934, 1.
7 Manning River Times, 7 January 1939, 9; 5 August 1948, 2; 17 March 1951, 7.
8 NSW Land Registry Services, Vol-Fol: 5051-156.
9 Northern Champion, 13 June 1942, 6.
10 Rebecca Linton, “Crossing the Bar: A history of Harrington gateway to the Manning Valley”, p.98.
11 NSW Government Gazette, 12 March 1943 (Iss. 30), 480.
12 NAA: C138, TOWERS Clarence Bignell, 1057.
13 Poem shared with Gwen Whatson in January 1968. Held by Genevieve Godwin.