'I may be some time,' said Captain Oates as he left the tent and walked out into a blizzard in the Antarctic in 1912. He had been in charge of the horses pulling the sled of supplies for the team led by Scott of The Antarctic. (Scott of the Antarctic was the name of the film about them).
A memorial to captain Oates was placed on the Cavalry Club which merged with another club to become what is now called the Cavalry and Guards club, in Central London, near Hyde Park Corner underground tube station and Green park tube station.
1912 was not a good year for journeys through ice. Up north, the Titanic went down in ice in March.
Far from being regarded as a tragedy, like Dunkirk in WW2, the story was turned into one of resolution and courage in the face of adversity.
In WWI, 1914-18, one hundred thousand soldiers facing the hardships and dangers of the trenches, were told the story and shown the famous photo of the expedition, as an example of stoic courage.
To end on a happier note, my husband, Trevor, knows a member of the Cavalry and Guards Club and they had lunch for two, together in September 2020. (Now as I write on October 11th, 2020, a maximum of six people at a table is the rule, due to Covid-19 regulations) and he said it was a very fine club with fine food and excellent service. I have asked him, on his next visit to the club, to take a photo of the plaque for you to see.
Useful Websites
https://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/articles/captain-lawrence-oates-antarctic-tragedy/
About the Author
Angela Lansbury
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