The Arctic Medal awarded to David Taws who served aboard H.M.S. Discovery in the 1875-76 Expedition,
silver medal, engraved (David Taws Ice Qr Mr H.M.S. Discovery.). In a contemporary box with a silver name badge engraved (David Taws), this with facility for holding medal riband. Some minor edge bruising, otherwise very fine. (Lot)
Sold for
£6,462
inc. premium
Footnotes
- The ledger has his forename as "Ed", but this was later corrected to David. His rank is confirmed as Ice Quartermaster.
The British Arctic Expedition of 1875-76 was sent by the Admiralty to attempt to reach the North Pole via Smith Sound. It was led by Sir G.S.Nares and comprised HMS Alert and HMS Discovery. They sailed from Portsmouth on 29th May 1875. The ships encountered many gales on the journey across the North Atlantic to Greenland. At Godhaven Harbour in Greenland the ships called to take on additional stores etc. On the subsequent journey northwards the ships encountered heavy ice. At Lady Franklin Bay on the Ellesmere Coast the Discovery took up winter quarters. In turn it sent out two sledging parties, one under Archer and Conybear who mapped the deep fjord that lies to the south of Lady Franklin Bay called Archer fjord. The other sledging party under Lieutenant Beaumont mapped northwards along the Greenland coast. Another pioneering party under Rawson left the Discovery in April 1876 to find the best route across Robeson Channel to Greenland.
Nares did not want his men to spend another winter in the Arctic and in August 1876 the two ships were able to break free of ice and returned to England.
58 medals were awarded to Discovery, and there were three Ice Quartermasters all three were from Scotland and had served on whalers.
Category: Coins / Coins and Banknotes
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