Qatia 100 - They Shall Not Grow Old

On 23 April 2016 the Worcestershire Yeomanry commemorates the Centenary of the Battles of Qatia and Oghratina with a special service at Worcester Cathedral remembering the gallantry and sacrifice of the Worcestershire Yeomanry and the unveiling and dedication by the Squadron Padres of a bespoke memorial created by sculptor and mosaic artist Victoria Harrison at Cripplegate Park.

23 April 2016 saw the loss of 9 officers and 101 other ranks. The full list, and some images of the brave men who gave their lives at Qatia can be found on our key dates page.

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.

You can read more about the Battle and the Worcestershire Yeomanry in our special commemorative booklet.