Christmas Eve Battle

The Christmas Eve Battle took place during the Mau Mau Uprising on 24 December 1954 between British, African and Mau Mau forces and resulted in the death of Earl Wavell, the only son of Archibald Wavell.

It took place around 25 miles north of Nairobi. Wavell was leading a patrol of British troops and African police pursuing from Mau Mau who had beheaded a loyal Kikuyu tribesman in the Thaika area. They tracked down about 20 of the Mau Mau who opened fire, killing Wavell immediately. The battle went for ten hours.

Wavell had lost an arm during World War Two. He had no heirs so his death meant the end of the Wavell line.