The Townson family had been playing football in Toowoomba since the earliest organised competition in the decade before the start of the war. It appears James Russell “Russ” Townson played for Boomerangs in the junior competition in 1907 while oldest brother William Townson was seen playing for Waratahs in 1910. Stanley Townson was the second youngest of the seven siblings, and while his own footballing career went unreported, his name was added to the Toowoomba British Football Association honour board in May 1918.
Four months later he died on the battlefield in France.
Townson was 20 when he enlisted in June 1915, having previously worked as a fitter and turner. He arrived in France with the 9th Battalion in early 1916 and was wounded in action in May. After convalescence in England, Towson returned to France in September and transferred to the 3rd Light Trench Mortar Battery where he spent the rest of his war. These units provided quick-fire radiant attacks which would land within trenches or close off areas behind enemy troops. As such, they attracted enemy fire.
He was wounded again in March 1918, having been buried by a shell, but was back with his unit within days, only to be killed in action on 21 September 1918. Townson was buried at Bellicourt British Cemetery.