Sir Ernest Beachcroft Beckwith Towse VC, KCVO, CBE was a military veteran, blinded in action who made significant contributions to welfare of the blind in the UK. He set up the British Wireless for the Blind Fund in 1928.

Towse joined the army as a second lieutenant in 1885. He was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1900 for two actions during the Boer War. For assisting his injured comrade and attempting to carry him to safety under fire, and for fighting back 150 Boers with a force of just twelve men. He was blinded by bullet fire in this second action.

He joined the council of the British and Foreign Blind Association, later the National Institute for the Blind, in 1901 as vice-chairman. He travelled the country to foster public interest in the welfare of blind people.

Through the First World War, Towse served as a staff officer working with the wounded in French hospitals. He wrote letters on injured soldiers’ behalf, and his work gained him a mention in dispatches.

Towse was awarded a CBE in 1920 and KCVO in 1927 for his services to the blind and former servicemen.

In 1923 he set up a Special Fund for Blind Ex-Servicemen. The same year he became chair of the National Institute for the Blind, staying in this position until 1944.

During the Second World War, Towse opened his home in Long Meadow, Goring-on-Thames as a place for civilians blinded during air raids, becoming the first Queen Elizabeth Home of Recovery.