Orders, Decorations and Medals

Royal Geographical Society Scott Memorial Medal 1913, by F. Bowcher, obv. bareheaded uniformed bust of Captain Scott, R.N. facing, ‘Captain R. F. Scott, C.V.O., R.N. Commander British Antarctic Expedition 1910-13’; rev. five members of the expedition on skis trekking right, ‘Presented by the Royal Geographical Society’, in exergue, ‘For Antarctic Discovery 1913’, 55mm., bronze, unnamed, in case of issue, ref. B.H.M. 4101, Eimer 1933, extremely fine, rare £1000-1500

The medal was issued to commemorate the Antarctic Expedition led by Captain Scott during 1910-13. Based on the Terra Nova the expedition was part scientific and part an attempt to be the first to reach the South Pole. The journey to the Pole was begun on 3 November 1911 and on 17 January 1912, the final members of the group making the attempt - Scott, Wilson, Bowers, Oates and Evans reached the southernmost point, only to discover that a Norwegian party under Amundsen had reached it before them. The tragic and heroic return journey is well known - with Scott, Bowers and Wilson being the last to die, trapped in their tent in a blizzard just 21 miles from the relative safety of One Ton Camp. The last recorded entry in Scott’s diary was dated 29 March 1912.

The medal was struck in gold, silver and bronze. The medal in silver was presented to the officers of the Terra Nova and the scientific staff; the medal in bronze to the crew of the Terra Nova. A medal in gold was retained by the Royal Geographical Society.