Talk:Thomas Abernethy (explorer)

Abernethy and the Arctic Medal

MTWEmperor has contacted me on my talk page about multiple Arctic Medals.[1] Based on Buchan, Alex R (2016). "A Grand Polar Veteran"; Thomas Abernethy of Peterhead. Buchan Field Club. ISBN 0-9512736-5-5. (a book I borrowed from the library) I wrote of Abernethy being awarded five Arctic Medals, the first "very belatedly" in 1857.[2] Without seeing the book again, I am as sure as I can be that this is what the book says. However, Petecarney, with the comment "Only one medal, no matter how many times eligible" altered the text (without a reference) to say only one medal was awarded.[3] I have checked this and I'm pretty sure it is correct. Firstly, the Arctic Medal was only instituted in 1857[4][5] and it covered all Arctic (but, rather oddly, not Antarctic) voyages 1818–1855. People were invited to apply and to say if they had been on more than one voyage. Whereas "clasps" were awarded for the 20th century Polar Medal when the recipient had multiple awards it seems probable this did not happen for the 1857 and 1876 Arctic Medals, see Wordie at page 57 of issue 5 of the 1933 Polar Record.[6] If anyone has any more definite information the article would benefit (and I would too!). I'll ping Brianboulton who may well know about this sort of thing. Thincat (talk) 14:06, 5 October 2019 (UTC)

A most interesting article. I can't throw much light on the point in question, though. I'd say it unlikely that separate Arctic Medals were awarded for each voyage undertaken, but I can't be sure. Our Wiki article is unhelpful in this respect, and the link to the 1933 Wordie article isn't working for me. As you say, applicants were asked to say if they had been on more than one voyage. Perhaps that's because the medals weren't issued automatically; you had to apply, and perhaps your application stood more chance if you were a multiple voyager? That's conjecture, though. It might be worth contacting the Royal Geographical Society who used to be influential in deciding who should have the Polar Medal. Even after 1904, the medals weren't given out automatically; they were given on the expedition leader's recommendation, and after Shackleton's 1914–16 Endurance expedition he withheld the recommendation from several of his crew, including Harry McNish who had played a vital role in the boat journey to South Georgia, but had been stroppy earlier on. Against that, Ernest Joyce apparently got a clasp for his part in the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, even though Mawson dismissed him before the expedition had even left Australia! Brianboulton (talk) 23:21, 5 October 2019 (UTC)

Thank you for this. It hadn't occurred to me awards might be discretionary but, now you say it, Shackleton could be harsh on some people and, indeed, I seem to remember, Scott was harsh on Shackleton. I ponder on things and will likely add a footnote to the article. I think the text as it stands is OK although not fully agreeing with Buchan. Thincat (talk) 09:35, 10 October 2019 (UTC)