Ernest Beachcroft Beckwith Towse
Captain, 1st. Battalion. Gordon Highlanders
- Register No.
- 1223 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain all Captains →
- Unit
- 1st. Battalion. Gordon Highlanders all Gordon Highlanders VCs →
- Date of action
- 11 December 1899 on this day → all of 1899 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second Boer War
- London Gazette
- 6th July 1900 on this day → all of 1900 →
- Born
- 23rd April 1864 at Regent's Park, London
- Died
- 21st June 1948 at Goring-on-Thames, Berkshire
- Memorial / grave
- at St Thomas of Canterbury Churchyard, Goring-on-Thames, Berkshire
- Medal held by
- the Gordon Highlanders Museum, Aberdeen,
Digest of citation
During the retirement in the action at Magersfontein, South Africa, on 11th December 1899, Captain Towse showed great gallantry in assisting Colonel Downman, who had been mortally wounded. Whilst close to the front of the firing line, he attempted to get Colonel Downman on to his back, but found that it was not possible. Captain Towse supported the Colonel until Colour-Sergeant Nelson and Lance-Corporal Hodgson came to join him. On 30th April 1900, along with 12 men, Captain Towse, well away from any support, took up a opposition on Mount Thaba. Neither party having sighted the other until approximately 100 yards apart, the position was approached by some 150 Boers, who were attempting to take the same position. A party of the Boers managed to get within 40 yards of their position and called upon Captain Towse to surrender. At once, he ordered his men to fire, firing himself until both of his eyes were shattered, causing the attacking party to retire. The gallantry of Captain Towse, who not only been firing on the enemy, he actually charged at them, had saved the situation, even though they had been completely outnumbered
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
TOWSE, Ernest Beachcroft Beckwith. (reg No. 1223).
Captain. 1st. Battalion. Gordon Highlanders.
London Gazetted on 6th July 1900.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Gordon Highlanders Museum, Aberdeen, Scotland.
Born on 23rd April 1864 at Regent's Park, London.
Died on 21st June 1948 at Goring-on-Thames, Berkshire.
Memorial on grave at St Thomas of Canterbury Churchyard, Goring-on-Thames, Berkshire.
Digest of Citation reads: During the retirement in the action at Magersfontein, South Africa, on 11th December 1899, Captain Towse showed great gallantry in assisting Colonel Downman, who had been mortally wounded. Whilst close to the front of the firing line, he attempted to get Colonel Downman on to his back, but found that it was not possible. Captain Towse supported the Colonel until Colour-Sergeant Nelson and Lance-Corporal Hodgson came to join him. On 30th April 1900, along with 12 men, Captain Towse, well away from any support, took up a opposition on Mount Thaba. Neither party having sighted the other until approximately 100 yards apart, the position was approached by some 150 Boers, who were attempting to take the same position. A party of the Boers managed to get within 40 yards of their position and called upon Captain Towse to surrender. At once, he ordered his men to fire, firing himself until both of his eyes were shattered, causing the attacking party to retire. The gallantry of Captain Towse, who not only been firing on the enemy, he actually charged at them, had saved the situation, even though they had been completely outnumbered.
Additional information:. Captain Towse was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). In 1892 he married Gertrude Christie. He was also made a Knight of the Order of St John. He saw service in 1895 with the Chitral Relief Force; Malakand, receiving the medal and clasp; on the North West Frontier of India; Tirah 1897-98 and two clasps. He received the Queen's Medal and three clasps for service in South Africa, being mentioned twice in Despatches as well as being awarded the Victoria Cross. He was also seriously wounded in the eyes. He was Sergeant at Arms to King Edward VII in 1901. In 1903 he was created a member of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms He served as the Honorary Staff Captain for Base Hospitals during the European War (WW I) 194 -18, and he was the Chairman of the Grand Council of Comrades of the Great War.
Additional information
Captain Towse was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). In 1892 he married Gertrude Christie. He was also made a Knight of the Order of St John. He saw service in 1895 with the Chitral Relief Force; Malakand, receiving the medal and clasp; on the North West Frontier of India; Tirah 1897-98 and two clasps. He received the Queen's Medal and three clasps for service in South Africa, being mentioned twice in Despatches as well as being awarded the Victoria Cross. He was also seriously wounded in the eyes. He was Sergeant at Arms to King Edward VII in 1901. In 1903 he was created a member of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms He served as the Honorary Staff Captain for Base Hospitals during the European War (WW I) 194 -18, and he was the Chairman of the Grand Council of Comrades of the Great War.
Scotland.
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Alf recorded the memorial as: at St Thomas of Canterbury Churchyard, Goring-on-Thames, Berkshire
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