 German machine gunners had occupied a commanding vantage overlooking the sunken road , and began to rain down heavy fire around Towner 's position . One of the bullets struck his helmet , inflicting a gaping wound to his scalp . Refusing to be evacuated for medical treatment , Towner continued firing his gun as the German pressure increased and the situation grew critical . Eventually the Australian infantry were forced to retire a short distance , but with all its crew having become casualties , one gun was left behind . Alone , Towner dashed out over no man 's land and retrieved the weapon . With this gun he " continued to engage the enemy whenever they appeared " , putting a German machine gun out of action with his accurate fire . 
