Antarctic explorer Oates honoured with blue plaque at site of his family home

IT IS a century since explorer Captain Lawrence Oates walked to his certain death in an attempt to try to save the lives of his colleagues.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Mar 2012, 08:30 BST

On Saturday, the 100th anniversary of Captain Oates’s self-sacrifice, a memorial event was held at Meanwood Park, in Leeds, the estate which was the Oates family’s home in the city before they sold it to Leeds Corporation in 1954 to be used as a public park. Captain Oates was a regular visitor.

A blue plaque and panels honouring Captain Oates and the telling the story of the Oates family in Leeds were unveiled.

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Coun Adam Ogilvie, Leeds City Council executive member for leisure, said: “The story of Captain Scott’s expedition and Captain Oates’s incredible bravery and self-sacrifice is one of the most famous ever told.”

On March 17 1912, Captain Oates suffering from severe frostbite on the return journey from the South Pole as part of Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s expedition, fearing he was holding his colleagues back, walked out to his certain death uttering the phrase: “I am just going outside and may be some time”. He was never seen again.

In York, soldiers from the Royal Dragoon Guards marched through the city to mark his bravery on Saturday. He was a member of the Guards.

Related topics:LeedsLeeds City Council