Polar Medal For 29

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32145, 14 November 1969, Page 10

Polar Medal For 29

An Englishman who led a sledge party down the Axel Heiberg Glacier [to follow Amundsen’s return route from the South Pole, and one of two New Zealand scientists who established the position of the South Magnetic Pole, are included in the list of 29 members of New Zealand expeditions to Antarctica who have been awarded the Polar Medal. The Governor-General (Sir; Arthur Porritt) announced; today that the Queen had approved the awards to the, men for their "distinguished! services in scientific research and exploration.” One award is posthumous. It has been made to the late Mr R. M. Robb, formerly of Timaru, who was at Scott Base during the International Geophysical Year. Mr W. W. Herbert; who now lives in London, was the man who led the New Zealand party down the Axel Heiberg Glacier. Earlier this year he led a British party on the first crossing of the Arctic, by way of the North Pole, from west to east.

Another recipient of the medal is Mr A. L. Burrows of the. staff of the Magnetic Sqrvey in Christchurch, who was one of two New Zealand' ers who went south in the American ice-breaker Burton Island to establish the post tion of the South Magnetic Pole in 1962. All the men granted the award served either at Scot! Base or Cape Hallett between 1957 and 1966. They include four leaders at Scott Base—Messrs C. M. Clark (Wellington). A. G. Hayter (Upper Takaka), M. M. Prebble (Nelson), and A. R. Roberts (Wellington). Among other recipients are Dr G. A. M. King, superintendent of the Geophysical Observatory in Christchurch, who spent the 1957-58 season at Cape Hallett; Mr W. R. Lucy, of Timaru, who was at Scott Base previously and spent last winter as leadei of the new scientific station at Lake Vanda; Mr Lucy’s successor, Mr D. R. C. Lowe, of Auckland, who was al Scott Base in 1965: and Mi R. B. Thomson, of Wellington, who is superintendent of the Antarctic Division, D.S.I.R. and who led a notable Australian 900-mile traverse from Wilkes Station to the Russian Vostok Station and back in 1962. The remaining names are: Mr M. R. J. Ford, Lower Hutt: