Second Boer War Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Regent's Park, London, he served as a Captain in the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, British Army. On the April 30, 1900, Captain Towse with twelve men, took up a position on the top of Mount Thaba, South Africa. Suddenly a force of about 150 Boers attempted to seize the same plateau. The Boers then got within 40 yards of Captain Towse's position and called on him to surrender. He at once ordered his men to open fire and charge. Firing himself until severely wounded with both eyes shattered, he succeeded in driving off the Boers. For gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Victoria Cross on July 6, 1900. After he left the military, he spent much of his life in work with the blind and joined the council of the National Institute for the Blind. In 1923, he inaugurated a Special Fund for Blind Ex-Servicemen which became the Sir Beachcroft Towse Ex-Service Fund when he was Knighted. He was also vice-president of Worcester College for the Blind, the Greater London Fund for the Blind and the Hepburn Starey Blind Aid Society and chairman of the British Wireless for the Blind Fund. He died at age 84 in Oxfordshire, England.
Second Boer War Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Regent's Park, London, he served as a Captain in the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, British Army. On the April 30, 1900, Captain Towse with twelve men, took up a position on the top of Mount Thaba, South Africa. Suddenly a force of about 150 Boers attempted to seize the same plateau. The Boers then got within 40 yards of Captain Towse's position and called on him to surrender. He at once ordered his men to open fire and charge. Firing himself until severely wounded with both eyes shattered, he succeeded in driving off the Boers. For gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Victoria Cross on July 6, 1900. After he left the military, he spent much of his life in work with the blind and joined the council of the National Institute for the Blind. In 1923, he inaugurated a Special Fund for Blind Ex-Servicemen which became the Sir Beachcroft Towse Ex-Service Fund when he was Knighted. He was also vice-president of Worcester College for the Blind, the Greater London Fund for the Blind and the Hepburn Starey Blind Aid Society and chairman of the British Wireless for the Blind Fund. He died at age 84 in Oxfordshire, England.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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