Victoria Cross interest. The Queen And The Sightless Captain...

Hammer

£26

Victoria Cross interest. The Queen And The Sightless Captain, 1900 colour poster as calendar for Salter & Salter Ltd. Queen Victoria weeping during a presentation ceremony of the Victorian Cross to the blind Captain Towse, the margin surrounded by 25 Boer War VC recipients including citations, size 75 x 50cm, generally very fine.
When Captain Towse went to Windsor Castle to receive his Victoria Cross at the hands of Her Majesty, the Queen, was so overcome with emotion that she burst into tears, and was unable to speak for a few seconds. The blind officer, though led into the room by his wife, walked forward a few paces alone, and saluted as he reached the Queen. On the 11th December 1899 at Magersfontein, Captain Towse was brought to notice by his commanding officer for endeavouring, when close up to the firing line, to carry Colonel Downman on his back, but finding it impossible, Captain Towse supported him until help arrived. On 13th April 1900, Captain Towse with twelve men took up a position on top of Mount Thabla, 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 100 yards apart. Some of the Boers got within forty yards of Captain Towse and his party, and called on his to surrender. He at once caused his men to open fire, and remaining firing himself until severely wounded, both eyes being shattered, but he succeeded in driving off the Boers.