Beschreibung:

Victoria Cross. The Queen And The Sightless Captain, circa 1900, colour lithograph, showing 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, sheet size 67 x 52cm, in a period simulated rosewood frame, glazed, frame size 75 x 62cm , together with Cuneo (Terence, 1907-1996), "The Past Despatch" 1981, colour print, showing General Gordon at Khartoum 15th December 1884, signed in pencil lower right, sheet size 54 x 73cm mount aperture, maple veneered frame, glazed, frame size 73 x 93cm 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 endeavoring, 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 suceeded in driving off the Boers.