Captain Ernest Beachcroft Beckwith Towse V.C
London Gazette, 6th July, 1900
"Ernest Beachcroft Beckwith Towse, Captain, Gordon Highlanders. Date of Acts of Bravery: 11th December, 1899; 30th April, 1900. On the 11th April, 1899, at the action of Magersfontein, Captain Towse was brought to notice by his commanding officer for his gallantry and devotion in assisting the late Colonel Dowman, when mortally wounded, in the retirement, and endeavouring when close up to the front of the firing line, to carry Colonel Dowman on his back; but finding this not possible, Captain Towse supported him till joined by Colour-Sergeant Nelson and L/Cpl. Hodgson. On the 30th April, 1900, Captain Towse, with twelve men, took up a position on the top of Mount Thaba, far away from support. A force of about 150 Boers attempted to seize the same plateau, neither party appearing to see the other until they were but one hundred yards apart. Some of the Boers then got within forty yards of Captain Towse and his party and called on him to surrender. He at once caused his men to open fire, and remained firing himself until severely wounded (both eyes shattered), thus succeeding in driving off the Boers. The gallantry of this officer in vigorously attacking the enemy (for he not only fired, but charged forward) saved the situation; notwithstanding the numerical superiority of the Boers."