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Details
HAROLD HAMILTON (1876-?)
Polar Medal, George V, with clasp 'Antarctic 1912-13', incused 'H HAMILTON, "AURORA"' on the rim, with original white ribband, with Hamilton's Great War Service medal
PROVENANCE:
Harold Hamilton, Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1912-1914.
Hamilton, born in Napier, New Zealand, a science graduate of Otago University, was 26 when he joined the expedition as biologist. He was responsible for the geological section of the Scientific Reports published following the expedition's return and for the collection of natural history and geological specimens on Macquarie Island. In mid-December 1911 Mawson left a group on Macquarie Island, under the command of G.F. Ainsworth, to establish a wireless station. This was to form a link between the expedition in Antarctica and the mainland of Australia. Radio communications were finally established in February 1913: this was the first two-way radio communication between Antarctica and the outside world. It had been intended that the expedition should return during the early part of 1913, but the necessity of Mawson convalescing after his disastrous sledge jouney meant that part of the main party had to remain for another season. Macquarie Island was an essential link between Mawson and the outside world. Hamilton and his companions were given the option of returning to Australia, but all chose to remain for another season. They were eventually picked up by the Aurora in November 1913, and finally landed, with Mawson, in South Australia on 26 February 1914. (2)
Polar Medal, George V, with clasp 'Antarctic 1912-13', incused 'H HAMILTON, "AURORA"' on the rim, with original white ribband, with Hamilton's Great War Service medal
PROVENANCE:
Harold Hamilton, Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1912-1914.
Hamilton, born in Napier, New Zealand, a science graduate of Otago University, was 26 when he joined the expedition as biologist. He was responsible for the geological section of the Scientific Reports published following the expedition's return and for the collection of natural history and geological specimens on Macquarie Island. In mid-December 1911 Mawson left a group on Macquarie Island, under the command of G.F. Ainsworth, to establish a wireless station. This was to form a link between the expedition in Antarctica and the mainland of Australia. Radio communications were finally established in February 1913: this was the first two-way radio communication between Antarctica and the outside world. It had been intended that the expedition should return during the early part of 1913, but the necessity of Mawson convalescing after his disastrous sledge jouney meant that part of the main party had to remain for another season. Macquarie Island was an essential link between Mawson and the outside world. Hamilton and his companions were given the option of returning to Australia, but all chose to remain for another season. They were eventually picked up by the Aurora in November 1913, and finally landed, with Mawson, in South Australia on 26 February 1914. (2)
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