# Titus Oates — The Worst Journey in the World character guide > Titus Oates in The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Thus Titus Oates, Titus, Oates, taciturn Titus, Titus Oates, poor Oates, Titus " Oates, Poor Oates, Capt. Oates, Capt. L. E. G. Oates, Captain Oates, Farmer Hayseed (Oates, Pannikin Oates **First appearance:** 0003-the-worst-journey-in-the-world ## Snapshot A taciturn army officer who tends the ponies and endures frostbitten feet with a soldier's uncomplaining stoicism. ## Who they are Oates is the reserved cavalryman in charge of the expedition's ponies, a man of few words whose quiet competence earns him the nickname 'taciturn Titus.' As the marches grind on, his feet deteriorate into a wretched, swollen ruin, yet he keeps walking, and Cherry-Garrard's account of his suffering — nursed in bed at home, crawling on frostbitten hands here — is among the book's most haunting passages. His silent endurance turns the abstract cost of the Pole into something flesh-and-blood. ## In the story ### [The Worst Journey in the World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/the-worst-journey-in-the-world) Army officer and pony handler, later known for his sacrifice. ### [I: From England to South Africa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/i-from-england-to-south-africa) Oates is described as an 'adaptable helper' and participated in the landing party at South Trinidad Island with the dogs. ### [III: Southward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/iii-southward) Sings 'The Vly on the tu-urmuts' during the Christmas celebration. ### [Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/iv-land) Warns about the coming storm and later oversees the ponies' fitness for work. ### [The Depot Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/v-the-depot-journey) Weighs pony food, sorts harness, and manages the ponies; comments on the danger of ponies falling into holes; meets Crean on the Barrier and lights the primus for him. ### [The Return of the Pony Party from One Ton Depot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/the-return-of-the-pony-party-from-one-ton-depot) Manages the ponies, expresses pessimism about Weary Willie but continues to care for him; bets Gran on Blücher's survival. ### [The Return of the Dog Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/the-return-of-the-dog-party) Assists in the pony rescue, advises Cherry-Garrard on killing the horse, and expresses distress at having to kill another horse. ### [VI: The First Winter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/vi-the-first-winter) Shown in a brief exchange with Scott during sledging, responding about the time, and later being congratulated by Wilson and Scott for the ponies' task. ### [VII: The Winter Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/vii-the-winter-journey) Present at the Midwinter Night celebration; described playing with a popgun, sponge, and whistle, and dancing with Anton. ### [The Polar Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/ix-the-polar-journey) Handles the difficult pony Christopher; gives a pessimistic but hopeful assessment of the ponies' condition. ### [The Barrier Stage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/i-the-barrier-stage) Oates is responsible for the ponies and is involved in the difficult decision to shoot Christopher. His calmness is noted, though he is visibly affected by the loss of his horse. ### [X: The Polar Journey (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/x-the-polar-journey-continued) Oates is considered for the final polar party; Wilson thinks he will be more helpful than Cherry-Garrard. ### [III: The Plateau from Mount Darwin to Lat. 87° 2′ S.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/iii-the-plateau-from-mount-darwin-to-lat-87-2-s) Part of Scott's team on the plateau, mentioned as one of the five chosen for the Polar Party. ### [XIII: Suspense](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/xiii-suspense) Suggested using mules instead of ponies; mentioned in context of transport planning. ### [XVII: The Polar Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/xvii-the-polar-journey) Mentioned as feeling the cold and fatigue more than the rest of the party on January 14. ### [The Pole and After](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/v-the-pole-and-after) Aged 32, one of the five chosen for the final push; represented the army in the party. ### [XVIII: The Polar Journey (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/xviii-the-polar-journey-continued) Oates is depicted as a brave soul who endured intense suffering without complaint, ultimately walking out into a blizzard to sacrifice himself for his companions. ### [VI: Farthest South](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/vi-farthest-south) Suffering severe frostbite on his feet, his condition worsens, leading to his eventual sacrifice. ### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations) A photograph of Oates is included in the list. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/characters/oates - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/characters