Lot 4565

Description

Antarctic related, aluminium case (155mm x 75mm), hinged lid, inside lid and base are lugs for attaching cord between to secure contents, one base lug damaged, lid engraved, 'F.Wilde / British Antarctic Expedition 1907.' Several scratch and scuff marks otherwise very fine and an historic item.

John Robert Francis Wild, known as Frank Wild, (1873-1939), was an important figure in Antarctic exploration. He was a member of the following expeditions, British Antarctic Expedition 1902-04, Sir Ernest Shackleton's Furthest South Expedition in Nimrod 1907-09, Australian Antarctic Expedition 1911-14, Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914-16. He saw war service as a Temporary Lieutenant in RNVR and apart from his Polar Medal and WWI service medals he was awarded a CBE in 1920 and was a recipient of numerous other medals relating to his Antarctic service. The name on the case is incorrectly spelt but this adds to the mystery. Was it a gift? Or, was it issued to him and the naming incorrectly spelt by the equipment engraver? Together with research.