Chowne VC Rest Area

At a Glance

About

The Chowne VC Rest Area is the eighth of twenty stops along the Remembrance Driveway, positioned on the northbound carriageway of the Hume Highway near Towrang in New South Wales. It sits between the Kingsbury VC Rest Area to the south and the Derrick VC Rest Area ahead, and like those stops, it honours an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross — the Commonwealth's highest military decoration for valour. This rest area commemorates Lieutenant Albert Edward Chowne, known to his fellow soldiers as Bert, born in Sydney on 19 July 1920. Chowne had already distinguished himself in earlier service, earning a Military Medal for bravery before being posted to the 2/2nd Australian Infantry Battalion in October 1944. The battalion was committed to the Aitape–Wewak campaign in New Guinea as part of the 6th Division's advance on Wewak. On 25 March 1945, near Dagua in New Guinea, Chowne's company was pressing an attack on Japanese defensive positions when the leading platoon was caught by devastating fire and suffered heavy casualties. Without hesitation, Lieutenant Chowne left cover and charged forward alone, silencing two light machine-gun positions with grenades. Calling on his men to follow and firing his sub-machine gun from the hip, he continued charging up the position. He was killed in that action, on the same day and in the same ground he fought to take. He was twenty-four years old. His courage is recognised permanently at this stop on the Remembrance Driveway, ensuring travellers moving between Sydney and Canberra encounter his story. The rest area is open around the clock and provides toilets, covered picnic tables, and a shelter for those needing a break. Dedicated truck parking makes it a practical stop for heavy vehicle drivers as well as caravans and passenger vehicles. There is no time limit information supplied, but as with all Remembrance Driveway stops, it is designed for a short rest rather than an extended stay.

Victoria Cross Recipient

Born 19 July 1920, Sydney, NSW. Died 25 March 1945, Dagua, New Guinea.

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Stop 8 of 20 along the Remembrance Driveway

Facilities