Bigalı Mehmet Çavuş

Bigalı Mehmet Çavuş was a soldier who displayed great bravery during the Battle of Çanakkale. Let us learn together about his life and courage!

Bigalı Mehmet Çavuş (Generated by Artificial Intelligence)

Childhood and Family

Bigalı Mehmet Çavuş was born in 1878 in the town of Filibe, Bulgaria (which at the time was part of the Ottoman Empire). He migrated with his family to Anatolia as an infant. His family settled in Bahçeli Village in the Biga district of Çanakkale, where they earned their living through sericulture.

Mehmet Çavuş’s wife, Fatma Teyze, was also an immigrant from Bulgaria. Together, they had five children named Hüseyin, Hatice, Kamile, Zehra, and Hayriye.

Military Service

Mehmet Çavuş served in the military for a full 16 years! He first participated in the Balkan Wars, but he demonstrated his greatest heroism during the Battle of Çanakkale. In Çanakkale, he served as a sergeant in the 27th Regiment.

Heroism in Çanakkale

On 4 March 1915, enemy forces attempted to land at Seddülbahir in Çanakkale. They arrived with large ships and bombarded the coastline, trying to gain a foothold on the shore. But Mehmet Çavuş and his 20 comrades would not allow it!

They bravely resisted the enemy. When his rifle broke, Mehmet Çavuş picked up a shovel and charged at the enemy. His comrades supported him with their bayonets. They fought for three hours and repelled the attackers, forcing the enemy ships to retreat.

During this battle, Mehmet Çavuş was wounded in the head and chest, and his hands were severely injured. Yet he returned to the front before fully recovering, saying, “I cannot lie down while my comrades are fighting!”

Awards and Recognition

His bravery deeply moved everyone. Mehmet Çavuş was awarded the Silver Star War Medal, a silver watch, and a silver tray. Newspapers published stories about his heroism, and people sent him letters of congratulations and gifts. But Mehmet Çavuş refused to accept any money and insisted that the rewards be given to other soldiers.

Bigalı Mehmet Çavuş (Generated by Artificial Intelligence)

Life After the War

After the war, Mehmet Çavuş returned to his village and resumed his former life. He worked his land and once again engaged in sericulture. The state leaders never forgot his heroism. When Atatürk offered him assistance, Mehmet Çavuş declined, because he had not performed his sacrifice expecting anything in return. Years later, President İsmet İnönü wished to meet him personally. Mehmet Çavuş accepted this special invitation but completed the visit with respect and courtesy, asking for nothing from the state. His conduct revealed how honorable and humble he truly was.

Mehmet Çavuş passed away on 3 February 1964, many years after the war.