A COLLECTION of papers relating to a heroic charge by Dorset soldiers during the First World War have been secured for the public.

The Keep Military Museum in Dorchester has obtained the papers connected to the Dorset Yeomanry charge at the battle of Agagia thanks to donations from the community.

The battle in Egypt in February 1916 saw the last regimental Yeomanry cavalry charge in British Army history.

David Clifford, a Territorial Army member currently serving with the Royal Wessex Yeomanry, came across the papers through an online research and contacted Keep curator Colin Parr.

He said: “I’m always looking for stuff relating to the regiment and I found a link to a guy in London selling these documents.

“I sent Colin an email and he emailed back and said he had managed to secure the papers but was still trying to secure the funds to get his hands on them.”

Mr Clifford, a finance controller for nursing agency Everycare Wessex Ltd, and colleague Carl Chick, a former captain of the Yeomanry, managed to persuade their company to donate the final £100 needed so the Keep could reach its £550 target to obtain the papers.

The company has had links with the Keep for several years and their carers take clients round the museum.

Mr Parr said he was delighted with the contribution of Everycare Wessex and the community in helping to secure the papers.

He said: “It is always good to have the support of the community and Everycare is always willing to link up with us in different ways.”

The Dorset Yeomanry’s efforts at Agagia are celebrated every year by the Royal Wessex Yeomanry and Tuesday will mark the 97th anniversary of the battle.

Copies of the papers will be framed and put on display at the squadron’s headquarters in Bovington.

Mr Parr will be giving a talk on the Battle of Agagia at the Keep at noon on Tuesday to mark the anniversary.

He said securing the papers was a welcome step ahead of what is expected to be a busy period from next year as the nation marks the centenary of the First World War.

Anyone with any family history relating to Dorset soldiers who served in the Great War is encouraged to contact the Keep on 01305 264066.

Officer passed over for honour

THE BATTLE of Agagia was part of the Western Desert campaign and saw the Dorset Yeomanry charge the Senussi forces under heavy fire across 1,200 yards of open desert.

Five officers and 27 Yeoman were killed in the charge, with a further 28 injured and 85 horses also died.

Mr Parr explained that the papers came from the family of the Yeomanry’s commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel HMW Souter and reveal how he was passed over for the Victoria Cross despite pleas on his behalf by his superior General Peyton.

Mr Parr said: “The papers prove that Peyton recommended him after the charge for the Victoria Cross.

“It also transpires that at that time, in early 1916, there had been a directive from the War Office to state that gallantry awards were to be downgraded for actions in the Middle East at the expense of France and Flanders, where there was a lot more carnage.”

Despite the general’s pleas to Secretary of State Lord Kitchener and King George V, Lt Col Souter’s award was downgraded to a Distinguished Service Order.