Beschreibung:

Exceptional Naval and Polar Awards from the Collection of RC Witte The polar exploration group awarded to Commander J. R. F. “Frank” Wild, late Royal Navy and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, who, with the exception of Sir Ernest Shackleton, participated in more Antarctic expeditions than any other man British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. F. Wild, R.N.V.R.), in their card box of issue Royal Geographical Society’s Gold Patron’s Medal (Commander Frank Wild, C.B.E., 1924), contained in gold glazed case, in its fitted case of issue Royal Geographical Society’s Silver Medal for Scott’s First Antarctic Expedition 1902-04 (Frank Wild, R.N.), in its fitted Wyon, London case of issue Royal Geographical Society’s Silver Medal for Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition 1907-09 (F. Wild), in its fitted case of issue Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s Silver Medal for Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition 1907-09, the reverse engraved, ‘Frank Wild, Member of the British Antarctic Expedition 1907-1909’, in its Kirkwood, Edinburgh fitted case of issue National Antarctic Expedition 1902-04 Silver Medal for Sports (Frank Wild), as won by him for gaining 2nd place in a taboggan race held on the King’s birthday in 1902 Dress Miniature of the Polar Medal 1904, E.VII.R., 2 clasps, Antarctic 1902-04, Antarctic 1907-09, occasional edge bruising, generally good very fine (8) £20000-25000 Footnote Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including Wild's C.B.E. Warrant, dated 1 January 1920; Royal Geographical Society letter of notification for the award of the Gold Patron's Medal, dated 3 March 1924; Board of Trade correspondence regarding the award of the British War and Mercantile Marine Medals, dated September 1921; American Geographical Society letter of notification for the award of the David Livingstone Medal, dated 14 May 1924; Parchment Copy of the Freedom of the City of London, dated 11 May 1923; British Passport, valid w.e.f. 29 May 1923; Union of South Africa travel permit, dated 6 November 1931; and a copy of Wild's Birth Certificate, date stamped 20 November 1937. Commander John Robert Francis "Frank" Wild, C.B.E., was born at Skelton, Yorkshire, in April 1873 and educated at Bedford. A direct descendant on his mother's side of Captain James Cook he joined the Royal Navy at the age of 16 years and in 1901 was drawn from Vernon to serve in the National Antarctic Expedition under Commander Robert Falcon Scott, R.N. Still rated onlv an Able Seaman, he gave ample evidence of the qualities that would permit him to take part in more Antarctic Expeditions than any other explorer excepting Sir Ernest Shackleton. In March 1902 he was a member of Lieutenant Barnes's sledge party which made the first attempt to reach Cape Crozier, but which was forced to turn back with the loss of George Vince. Between 10 and 19 September of the same year he participated in the South-West reconnaissance to Koettlitz Glacier, and a month later supported Lieutenant Royds's party on its journey to Cape Crozier. Having bagged an N.A.E. Sports Medal for second place in the Toboggan Race held on the King's Birthday in November, he started out with 'B' sledge party under Petty Officer Allan at the end of the month, on Lieutenant Armitage’s "Western Journey" that established the route to the Ferrar Glacier. On this occasion the sledge reached 7,600 feet but did not, however, gain the summit owing to the severe illness of Petty Officer Macfarlane and the mild attacks of mountain sickness suffered by Wild and another member of the team. Finally, almost a year later, he was one of the partv which reached 25 miles beyond Minna Bluff in support of Lieutenant Barnes's South-West effort. Interestingly, it is recorded that after these experiences Wild could be counted among those who declined to follow Scott a second time, even 'after the most pressing invitations'. Upon his return to England, Wild received his R.G.S. Medal in February 1905 from Sir Clements Markham, and, as Pet