Dellbridge's Polar Medal for Discovery, 1902-04

Details

James Henry Dellbridge (1871-1931)
Dellbridge's Polar Medal for Discovery, 1902-04
Polar Medal, silver, Edward VII, with clasp 'ANTARCTIC 1902-04', incused 'ENG. Rm. ART. 2nd CLASS J.H. DELLBRIDGE "DISCOVERY"' on the rim, white riband (new)
together with a framed silhouette of Dellbridge from the South Polar Times (June 1903) (2)

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 15% on the buyer's premium

Lot Essay

James Henry Dellbridge was born on 17 November 1871 at 31 York Place, Portsea. He joined the Royal Navy as an Engine Room Artificer 4th Class in May 1893. He initially signed on for 12 years, having previously been employed as a Boiler Maker. In 1901 he joined the Discovery as a member of the National Antarctic Expedition under Robert Falcon Scott. Whilst in the Antarctic he took part in a number of sledging journeys including the Western Support Party in Nov-Dec 1902 and the South Western Support Party in Oct-Nov 1903. Dellbridge's conduct during the expedition clearly impressed Scott and he was specifically recommended for advancement to Chief Engine Room Artificer on his return to England. Scott asked him to join his Terra Nova expedition but he declined because of family commitments -- he was married with three sons and two daughters.

38 silver Polar Medals were awarded to members of Captain Scott's Discovery expedition.

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