Worcester Yeomanry to commemorate the centenary of the Battles of Qatia and Oghratina, 23 April 2016

On 23 April 2016, the Worcestershire Yeomanry will commemorate the Centenary of the Battles of Qatia and Oghratina which saw the loss of 9 officers and 101 other ranks with a special commemorative service at Worcester Cathedral at 11am.

At 2.45pm members of the Worcester Yeomanry invite members of the public to join them in the unveiling, by the Lord Lieutenant for the County of Worcestershire, Lieutenant Colonel P Holcroft LVO OBE and dedication by the Squadron Padres of a bespoke memorial created by sculptor and mosaic artist Victoria Harrison at Cripplegate Park.

Descendents of Worcestershire Yeomanry, who served at Qatia or during The Great War are invited to contact Worcestershire Yeomanry with a view to joining them on 23 April as well as to share their stories ahead of a special exhibition giving a full account of the Battles at the Worcester Soldier Gallery from 21 March 2016 until 30 May.

Colonel Stamford Cartwright MBE, TD, Curator of Worcestershire Yeomanry Museum and Chairman of the Comrades Association said: “We are delighted to be announcing our plans for commemorating the role of the Worcestershire Yeomanry at the Battles of Qatia and Oghratina. We are encouraging descendents of those who served with the Yeomanry at Qatia and the Campaign in Egypt and Mesoptamia to join us to remember the gallantry and sacrifice of the Yeoman who fought 100 years ago.”

Dr Adrian Gregson, Worcestershire World War One Hundred Project Manager said: “23 April is a significant date in Worcestershire’s military history and an important moment to remember the sacrifice of the Worcestershire Yeomanry 100 years ago. This is just one of the many events taking place as part of the Worcestershire World War One Hundred project which directly commemorates the role Worcestershire played at the front as well as reminding us the impact such loss of life had on the home front.”

Vanessa Harbar, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund West Midlands, said: “The impact of the First World War touched every corner of the UK. The Heritage Lottery Fund has already invested more than £70million in projects – large and small – that marking this global Centenary. Thanks to National Lottery players, Worcestershire World War One Hundred will enable the local community to explore the continuing legacy of this conflict and help local people to broaden their understanding of how it has shaped our modern world.”

The 9 foot high commemorative poppy sculpture designed and created by Victoria Harrison will provide a lasting memorial to the Worcestershire Yeomanry in Cripplegate park. The sculpture has been funded by Councillor Richard Udall and the Worcestershire County Council Divisional Fund and supported by Worcestershire Stone Masons of Hylton Road, Worcester.

In April 1916 the regiment was protecting the eastern side of the Suez Canal where they were responsible for patrolling the whole of the Qatia water area, a vital part of the military supply process.

The small isolated garrison at Oghratine had been ordered to protect a party of Royal Engineers on a well-digging expedition, when at dawn on 23 April 1916 they were attacked by over 3000 Turkish troops, including a machine gun battery of 12 guns. The defending troops repulsed the first attack but were forced back by the weight of the onslaught.

The victorious Turkish troops then advanced to reinforce another attack taking place against the Yeomanry’s small garrison at Qatia. Qatia fell to the Turkish forces with the loss of all of the Yeomanry’s officers except Major WH Wiggin who was wounded and managed to withdraw with about half the squadron.

Further information about the Qatia 100 Commemorations can be found on the Friends of the Worcestershire Yeomanry Museum Facebook page.

To contact the Worcestershire Yeomanry with your ancestors stories contact Colonel Stamford Cartwright on 012531 640608 or stamfordstmfcr@aol.com OR Mr Barry Weaver on 01384 637036 or email bazannweaver@talktalk.net.