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Captain Oates gets a plaque in Leeds Captain Oates gets a plaque in Leeds
(40 minutes later)
The sun has been shining on Meanwood in Leeds for a plaque-unveiling ceremony to honour its most famous adopted son who died in very different conditions.The sun has been shining on Meanwood in Leeds for a plaque-unveiling ceremony to honour its most famous adopted son who died in very different conditions.
Captain Lawrence Oates has gone down in history for leaving Captain Scott's tent in an Antarctic blizzard with the farewell "I am going outside and may be some time."Captain Lawrence Oates has gone down in history for leaving Captain Scott's tent in an Antarctic blizzard with the farewell "I am going outside and may be some time."
Weaker than the rest of the Polar party, he was ill and slowing the pace and Scott described his self-sacrifice as "the act of a brave man and an English gentleman." We have to rely on the word of Scott, who has been accused of creating his own noble version of the doomed project in the days before he and the rest of the party also died. But Oates certainly came from an interesting northern family.Weaker than the rest of the Polar party, he was ill and slowing the pace and Scott described his self-sacrifice as "the act of a brave man and an English gentleman." We have to rely on the word of Scott, who has been accused of creating his own noble version of the doomed project in the days before he and the rest of the party also died. But Oates certainly came from an interesting northern family.
His grandfather Edward Oates lived in Meanwoodside, a large mansion since demolished whose grounds are a now favourite park along the Meanwood beck, linked to the neighbouring Hollies and forming a green corridor past Meanwood valley urban farm and the Headingley Ridge which reaches very close to the centre of Leeds. The grounds contain the relics of his American garden, originally a retrospective symbol of support for the rebellious colonists, like the arch erected by the Gascoigne family in Parlington Park just outside Leeds, which still stands with its plain-spoken inscription: 'Liberty in N.America Triumphant 1783'.His grandfather Edward Oates lived in Meanwoodside, a large mansion since demolished whose grounds are a now favourite park along the Meanwood beck, linked to the neighbouring Hollies and forming a green corridor past Meanwood valley urban farm and the Headingley Ridge which reaches very close to the centre of Leeds. The grounds contain the relics of his American garden, originally a retrospective symbol of support for the rebellious colonists, like the arch erected by the Gascoigne family in Parlington Park just outside Leeds, which still stands with its plain-spoken inscription: 'Liberty in N.America Triumphant 1783'.
Captain Oates was a professional soldier, wounded in the Boer War and taken on Scott's 1911 expedition because of his knowledge of horses, plus a £1000 donation to the cause. He was critical of his commander's ignorance of animals, calling it 'colossal' and describing the ponies bought for the expedition as "wretched old crocks." Captain Oates was a professional soldier, wounded in the Boer War and taken on Scott's 1911/12 expedition because of his knowledge of horses, plus a £1000 donation to the cause. He was critical of his commander's ignorance of animals, calling it 'colossal' and describing the ponies bought for the expedition as "wretched old crocks."
Scott in turn considered Oates a terrible old pessimist; but he has certainly been effective as a virtuous symbol to succeeding generations. Take the President of the Meanwood Village Association, Peter Bewell, who was at the unveiling, organised by Leeds Civic Trust's blue plaque scheme:Scott in turn considered Oates a terrible old pessimist; but he has certainly been effective as a virtuous symbol to succeeding generations. Take the President of the Meanwood Village Association, Peter Bewell, who was at the unveiling, organised by Leeds Civic Trust's blue plaque scheme:
I have lived in Meanwood in Leeds for over 70 years and from being a schoolboy have always regarded Captain Oates as our very own local hero. Even more so when my wife Christine and I bought Ivy Cottage in 1959 as it was once owned by Captain Oates and his brother, albeit they did not actually live there. It is detailed in our house deeds.I have lived in Meanwood in Leeds for over 70 years and from being a schoolboy have always regarded Captain Oates as our very own local hero. Even more so when my wife Christine and I bought Ivy Cottage in 1959 as it was once owned by Captain Oates and his brother, albeit they did not actually live there. It is detailed in our house deeds.
In 2008 I realised a long-held ambition and actually went to Antarctica on an oceanographic research vessel. Although we did not go to the South Pole, we saw the awesome splendour of this famous continent. Long may he be remembered.In 2008 I realised a long-held ambition and actually went to Antarctica on an oceanographic research vessel. Although we did not go to the South Pole, we saw the awesome splendour of this famous continent. Long may he be remembered.
The more recent Polar explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes also sent a message for the occasion:The more recent Polar explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes also sent a message for the occasion:
Captain Lawrence Oates was a true explorer and very brave man. Most explorers today can call on support from satellite phones and helicopters but in Oates' day they were completely alone as they trekked the frozen Antarctic wastes.Captain Lawrence Oates was a true explorer and very brave man. Most explorers today can call on support from satellite phones and helicopters but in Oates' day they were completely alone as they trekked the frozen Antarctic wastes.
Few men have laid down their lives to give their friends a better chance of survival. I'm delighted that the centenary of this hero's death is being remembered at his family's home.Few men have laid down their lives to give their friends a better chance of survival. I'm delighted that the centenary of this hero's death is being remembered at his family's home.
Times have changed, but Meanwood did its best to give Oates' virtues a further boost, with an exhibition of work by 200 pupils at Meanwood Church of England primary school themed around Oates and the 1911expedition. An Oates- themed quiz followed afternoon tea at the Meanwood Institute and two special screenings of Scott of the Antarctic, starring John Mills, and The Great White Silence, filmed by Scott's own team, sold out well in advance. Times have changed, but Meanwood did its best to give Oates' virtues a further boost, with an exhibition of work by 200 pupils at Meanwood Church of England primary school about Oates and the 1911/12 expedition. An Oates-themed quiz followed afternoon tea at the Meanwood Institute and two special screenings of Scott of the Antarctic, starring John Mills, and The Great White Silence, filmed by Scott's own team, sold out well in advance.
It has to be added that a Guardian article in 2002 by my late colleague John Ezard appeared to put Oates' reputation at hazard. But it seems to have survived.It has to be added that a Guardian article in 2002 by my late colleague John Ezard appeared to put Oates' reputation at hazard. But it seems to have survived.
Meanwood's most famous daughter incidentally is Valerie Eliot, widow of TSEliot, who was born on the Headingley border and immersed herself in the poet's work at school. Alan Bennett's father was the family butcher. What an interesting place.Meanwood's most famous daughter incidentally is Valerie Eliot, widow of TSEliot, who was born on the Headingley border and immersed herself in the poet's work at school. Alan Bennett's father was the family butcher. What an interesting place.