--- title: Bigalı Mehmet Çavuş slug: bigali-mehmet-cavus-c5c1d url: /detay/bigali-mehmet-cavus-c5c1d type: biography language: English entity: primary: Bigalı Mehmet Çavuş type: biography categories: - name: History slug: tarih url: /kategori/tarih tags: - Seddülbahir Landing - Battle of Çanakkale - Bigalı Mehmet Çavuş author: Elif Laçin created_at: 2026-07-14T17:11:36.601328+03:00 updated_at: 2026-07-14T17:11:36.601328+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/06/07/H4AMw1nJgt6iLmqP0bFl2Z5KgbDaFMlY.png --- # Bigalı Mehmet Çavuş > Bigalı Mehmet Çavuş (1878-1964) was a Turkish soldier who fought on the front lines during the Balkan Wars and the Battle of Çanakkale. He is particularly known for his bravery during the Seddülbahir landing on 4 March 1915, when, after his rifle malfunctioned, he attacked the enemy with a entrenching shovel, earning him the title "father of the Mehmetçiğ". ## KURE Information Cards ### KURE Information Card: Bigalı Mehmet Çavuş ![db30e5fcd22833b0fe2f22cf79794cb2.jpg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/06/07/N3VXE1tYxEse047g6ezlQ5BmditBEbGn.jpg) | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Year of Birth | 1878 | | Spouse | Fatma Tabak | | Place of Birth | Ottoman Empire,Filibe,Bulgaria | | Year of Death | 1964 | | Place of Death | Türkiye,Çanakkale,Biga | | Child | 5 | | Unit Served | 27th Regiment 3rd Battalion 10th Company | | Historical Significance | being the father of the term Mehmetçik | ## Article Content **Bigalı Mehmet Çavuş** was born in 1878 in the town of Filibe, Bulgaria, according to the Rumi calendar (1294). His father’s name was Mustafa. During the Ottoman-Russian War of 1877–1878, due to massacres against Turks in the Balkans and increasing pressures, his family migrated to Anatolia and settled in Bahçeli Village (known at the time as İhsaniye), part of the Biga district of [Çanakkale](/en/detay/canakkale-6ea77/llms.txt). Mehmet Çavuş was an infant during this migration. The family continued their sericulture business from Bulgaria in Bahçeli Village and also produced towels and sheets from the silk they harvested. Mehmet Çavuş’s wife, Fatma (Tabak), was also a migrant from Bulgaria. The couple had five children: Hüseyin, Hatice, Kamile, Zehra, and Hayriye. Mehmet Çavuş served in the military for 16 years. He participated in the Balkan Wars and demonstrated his true heroism during the Çanakkale Campaign. During the Çanakkale Campaign, he served as a sergeant in the 10th Platoon of the 3rd Battalion of the 27th Regiment. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/06/07/Rf5dh4QgmsYK0p4G1n8H1oj73JMBDAgH.jpg) *Bigalı Mehmet Çavuş (Biga Municipality)* ### **Heroism at the Seddülbahir Landing on 4 March 1915** **The Çanakkale Campaign** began on 3 November 1914 with artillery fire from British and French ships, resulting in the first casualties of the campaign. Major naval operations commenced on 19 February, during which Turkish fortifications were targeted and damaged by long-range artillery fire. On 4 March 1915, the enemy realized they could not pass through the Çanakkale Strait by naval bombardment alone and decided to launch a land assault for support. At 09:00, Seddülbahir came under heavy bombardment; by 14:45, this bombardment intensified with five armored ships and seven torpedo boats, lasting approximately 45 minutes. After this intense shelling, it was assumed that no life remained on the shore, and the Plymouth Battalion was landed. This battalion, commanded by an officer, consisted of approximately 70 British soldiers and one machine gun, transported in three large barges. In the face of enemy ship bombardment and British troop assaults, [Bigalı Mehmet Çavuş](/en/detay/bigali-mehmet-cavus-99e6c/llms.txt), with his half-platoon of about 20 soldiers, mounted a fierce resistance. Mehmet Çavuş was a sergeant in the 3rd Battalion of the 27th Infantry Regiment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Mustafa Kemal. Although the Seddülbahir Battery had been evacuated by Turkish forces, Halil Sami Bey, commander of the 9th Division, stationed Mehmet Çavuş and his half-platoon at Seddülbahir. When enemy forces landed on the shore, Mehmet Çavuş addressed his soldiers: *“Look at me. The ground we stand on, the soil beneath our feet, is the legacy of our ancestors, our homeland. Whether it is the honor of our mothers or the honor of our nation, these invaders are enemies of honor. Let them know that they will regret coming here.”***.** [^1] Ignoring the enemy’s numerical and firepower superiority, he and his men lay flat on the ground and opened fire. The enemy returned fire, and a three-hour battle ensued at extremely close range. Mehmet Çavuş and his soldiers continuously changed positions to give the impression of greater numbers, thereby preventing other British troops waiting on the boats from landing. During the fighting, Mehmet Çavuş’s rifle mechanism became inoperable. He threw the rifle to the ground, picked up a **fortification ball**, and launched a suicidal attack against the enemy. As confirmed by villagers who knew him and Uluğ İğdemir, a teacher in Biga at the time, Mehmet Çavuş indeed fought with the fortification ball. His soldiers also raised their bayonets. After three hours, the British were forced to retreat to their ships with 23 dead, 25 wounded, and four missing. This landing was the largest amphibious operation conducted by the enemy during the naval campaign and ended in failure. Among Turkish soldiers, six were martyred and 13 wounded. Mehmet Çavuş was wounded in the head and chest, and his palms were shattered. After treatment at the Maydos (Eceabat) Hospital, he was sent home for rest and recovery, but before completing his leave, he returned to the front, saying: *“I cannot lie here while my comrades are fighting on the front.”* [^2] Because the 27th Regiment was under the 19th Division, he continued to fight under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Mustafa Kemal until the end of the Çanakkale Campaign. ### **Recognition and Legacy** Mehmet Çavuş’s heroism was highly praised by leading figures of the time. Lieutenant Colonel Mustafa Kemal, in his report to the Fortified Positions Command, requested that Mehmet Çavuş be decorated with a medal or some other form of recognition, emphasizing that such an honor would serve as an example to other soldiers. Mehmet Çavuş was awarded the Silver Star War Medal. Additionally, Lieutenant Colonel Mustafa Kemal presented him with a silver pocket watch with a chain and a silver tray as gifts. In a letter to Madam Corinne, Mustafa Kemal wrote about Mehmet Çavuş: *“You should not be surprised that my name is heard here, for I chose to bestow honor upon Mehmet Çavuş as the hero of a crucial battle. Of course, you do not doubt that the commander of this battle was your friend, and it was he who found Mehmet Çavuş on the battlefield during the night of combat.”* [^3] The front page of the newspaper Sabah at the time, under the headline “Cihad-ı Ekber,” carried a report on Mehmet Çavuş’s heroism at Seddülbahir, describing how he and his 20 soldiers repelled the landing attempt with a bayonet charge. Tasvir-i Efkar newspaper published reports on Mehmet Çavuş lying wounded in the hospital, accompanied by photographs of him in uniform adorned with medals. It was also reported that Enver Pasha visited Mehmet Çavuş in the hospital, offered his condolences, and personally awarded him a medal. Mehmed Zeki Bey, chief editor of the magazine Müdafaa-i Milliye, sent 10 Ottoman liras as a reward to be delivered to Mehmet Çavuş; the Ministry of War requested that this exemplary behavior be published in newspapers. Tributes and donations poured in from across the country. Although Mehmet Çavuş accepted the gifts, he refused the money and insisted it be distributed among other soldiers. A gold pocket watch was also gifted by people from Kayseri to be worn on his chest. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/06/07/nAsxHZ9dSmyf0482hkhKloOxU6QUkfcf.jpg) *Monument to Bigalı Mehmet Çavuş (Gelibolu Historical Area Directorate)* ### **Post-War Life and Death** After the Çanakkale Campaign ended, Mehmet Çavuş returned to Bahçeli Village and earned his living through farming, continuing sericulture as well. He repeatedly refused financial assistance personally offered to him by [Atatürk](/en/detay/ataturk-fee48/llms.txt), stating: **"***I fought for my homeland, not for money.*"** **[^4] He never accepted any state financial aid throughout his life and worked hard to support himself to the best of his ability. In 1950, during a visit to Biga, President İsmet İnönü visited Mehmet Çavuş at his village and spoke with him. While addressing the public from the balcony of the Halkevi building — now used as a health center — İnönü was accompanied by Mehmet Çavuş. İnönü conversed with him and asked if he had any needs; Mehmet Çavuş replied: *“I wish you good health, Pasha.”* [^5] and made no request whatsoever. On 3 February 1964, during the month of Ramadan, 12 days before Eid, Mehmet Çavuş suddenly fell ill and died within a week. Thirteen days later, on the first day of Eid, 15 February 1964, his wife Fatma also passed away. Both are buried today in the Bahçeli Village cemetery. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/06/07/TSyCYh8X3BrXDye2wfPyUgXzAn85e9g9.jpg) *Grave of Mehmet Çavuş (Biga Municipality)* ### **Current Commemoration and Promotion Efforts** Various efforts have been made to preserve the memory of Bigalı Mehmet Çavuş. Based on information presented as a paper at Çanakkale 18 March University in 2008, the Biga Subgovernorship constructed a memorial at his grave in the village cemetery, making it visible and increasing public awareness. As part of the centennial commemorations of the 1915 Çanakkale Campaign, a museum was built in his village. In subsequent years, the Çanakkale Historical Area Directorate established an information corner dedicated to Çanakkale history. A documentary film detailing the life and wartime experiences of Bigalı Mehmet Çavuş was produced. The documentary premiered on 10 August, on the 106th anniversary of the Anafartalar Victory, at the [Seddülbahir Fortress](/en/detay/seddulbahir-fortress/llms.txt) in Çanakkale. [YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKbCaXs8YFQ) *Mehmet Çavuş Documentary (Çanakkale Historical Area Directorate)* ## Academic Sources and References 1. Aykut, Şen Nur. "Çanakkale Cephesinde Biga ve Çanakkale Seddülbahir Kahramanı Çanakkale Gazisi Bigalı (Bahçelili) Mehmet Çavuş\*." Journal of Academic Studies. (2023): 495-506. https://jasstudies.com/?mod=tammetin&makaleadi=&makaleurl=1f18706d-e2dd-40da-ae34-c76d51d6923f.pdf&key=73542 2. Biga Belediyesi. "Mehmet Çavuş Belgeselinin İlk Teaseri Duygulandırdı." Accessed June 7, 2025. https://www.biga.bel.tr/haberler/mehmet-cavus-belgeselinin-ilk-teaseri-duygulandirdi. 3. Biga Belediyesi. "Mehmet Çavuş." Biga Belediyesi. Accessed June 8, 2025. https://www.biga.bel.tr/biga-tanitim/mehmet-cavus. 4. Çanakkale Savaşları Gelibolu Tarihi Alan Başkanlığı. "Mehmet Çavuş Anıtı." Accessed June 8, 2025. https://canakkaletarihialan.gov.tr/tr/ziyaret/sehitlikveanitlar/mehmet-cavus-aniti. 5. Çanakkale Tarihi Alan Başkanlığı Youtube Kanalı. "Çanakkale Muharebesi Seddülbahir Kahramanı Bigalı Mehmet Çavuş Belgeseli." Accessed June 8, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKbCaXs8YFQ 6. Çanakkale Valiliği. "Çanakkale Fedakârı Bigalı Mehmet Çavuş Belgesel Filminin Gösterimi Yapıldı." Accessed June 8, 2025. http://www.canakkale.gov.tr/canakkale-fedakari-bigali-mehmet-cavus-belgesel-filminin-gosterimi-yapildi. 7. Özdemir, İslam. "4 Mart 1915 Seddülbahir Çıkarması ve Bigalı Mehmet Çavuş." Çanakkale Savaşları Araştırma ve Tanıtma Kulübü. Accessed June 8, 2025. https://csatt.org/4-mart-1915-seddulbahir-cikarmasi-ve-bigali-mehmet-cavus/. ## Citations [^1]: Aykut, Şen Nur. "Çanakkale Cephesinde Biga ve Çanakkale Seddülbahir Kahramanı Çanakkale Gazisi Bigalı (Bahçelili) Mehmet Çavuş." JASSS (The Journal of Academic Social Science Studies) 16, no. 98 (Kış 2023): 495-506. Sayfa no: 500. Erişim tarihi 8 Haziran 2025. http://dx.doi.org/10.29228/JASSS.73542. [^2]: Aykut, Şen Nur. "Çanakkale Cephesinde Biga ve Çanakkale Seddülbahir Kahramanı Çanakkale Gazisi Bigalı (Bahçelili) Mehmet Çavuş." JASSS (The Journal of Academic Social Science Studies) 16, no. 98 (Kış 2023): 495-506. Sayfa no: 500. Erişim tarihi 8 Haziran 2025. http://dx.doi.org/10.29228/JASSS.73542. [^3]: Aykut, Şen Nur. "Çanakkale Cephesinde Biga ve Çanakkale Seddülbahir Kahramanı Çanakkale Gazisi Bigalı (Bahçelili) Mehmet Çavuş." JASSS (The Journal of Academic Social Science Studies) 16, no. 98 (Kış 2023): 495-506. Sayfa no: 500. Erişim tarihi 8 Haziran 2025. http://dx.doi.org/10.29228/JASSS.73542. [^4]: Aykut, Şen Nur. "Çanakkale Cephesinde Biga ve Çanakkale Seddülbahir Kahramanı Çanakkale Gazisi Bigalı (Bahçelili) Mehmet Çavuş." JASSS (The Journal of Academic Social Science Studies) 16, no. 98 (Kış 2023): 495-506. Sayfa no: 501. Erişim tarihi 8 Haziran 2025. http://dx.doi.org/10.29228/JASSS.73542. [^5]: Aykut, Şen Nur. "Çanakkale Cephesinde Biga ve Çanakkale Seddülbahir Kahramanı Çanakkale Gazisi Bigalı (Bahçelili) Mehmet Çavuş." JASSS (The Journal of Academic Social Science Studies) 16, no. 98 (Kış 2023): 495-506. Sayfa no: 501. Erişim tarihi 8 Haziran 2025. http://dx.doi.org/10.29228/JASSS.73542.