Text Box: Corpus Christi College

Text Box: Adopt a Grave

Text Box: George Andrew Towton

Text Box: George Andrew Towton was born in 1853 in the No Place Inn, Murray Street Perth, which was owned by his parents – Henry and Maria. His father Henry was a publican of the No Place Inn, and died  of typhoid on the 11 June 1870, aged 44. His mother died age 34 on the 17th April 1870. George spent a large amount of time when he was young with Veterinary Surgeon Bob West and learnt a lot from Bob. George was a professional jockey, horse trainer and owner and won 6 Perth cups and 4 derbies. In 1883,he won the Queens Plate with Lowlander. It was said that in the 1890s George seemed unbeatable when it came to racing. He won stakes with the horses: Tristram, Tremolo, Strike, Wandering Willie, Durable, Scarpia, Tarquin, Florrie, Snapshot, War Cry, Duration, Shamrock and Tapean. He built the Racecourse hotel, Towton Lodge (his house, including  stables) and Freemasons Hotel and was the licensee. George first married Lucy and later married her sister Dagmar, however,  there is contradictory evidence from the East Perth Cemeteries to suggest this is wrong and that he actually married Catherine Louisa who died on Christmas Day of 1884. He had a number of children. In 1892 George was involved in a serious accident involving his horses Wandering Willie and War Cry. His buggy that was being pulled by his 2 horses capsized and resulted in serious spinal injuries, paralyzing  his lower limbs. In honour of George’s work in the WA horse racing industry, the handicapped race was named after him. He died on 21st October 1906 aged 53 and was buried in East Perth Cemeteries, with his family.

Text Box: Above: G A Towton Below: George’s grave