Antarctic expedition explorer commemorated in UK
Mar 17, 2012, 3:54 PM
LONDON (AP) – British heritage officials have honored an explorer famed for an act of self-sacrifice during Capt. Robert Falcon Scott’s doomed Antarctic expedition a century ago.
Lawrence Oates gave his life in the hope of saving his three companions, trapped in a blizzard with rations running low as they returned from the South Pole.
With severe frostbite, Oates left the tent in March 1912 with the words: “I am just going outside and may be some time.” His body was never found.
On Saturday, a memorial plaque was unveiled on the site of Oates’ family home in the northern English city of Leeds.
Oates’ sacrifice was in vain. Scott and the others _ who had been beaten to the pole by a better-equipped Norwegian crew _ died before reaching base camp.
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