Footnotes

RARE ANTARCTIC SPORTS MEDAL AWARDED TO LIEUTENANT CHARLES W.R. ROYDS, who was already a distinguished and well-travelled officer in the Royal Navy before he was picked in 1901 along with Robert Falcon Scott to serve as First Lieutenant aboard the Discovery as the expedition meteorologist. He was also "in charge of physical training. Royds took part in the sledging programme, leading a sledging journey of exploration across the Ross Ice Shelf. Cape Royds on Ross Island was named for him" (Scott Polar Research Institute, website).

The Antarctic Sporting Medals were given to serving officers on the Discovery Expedition as prizes for their sporting achievements, ranging from sledge-pulling to rifle shooting and skiing. The medals, struck in advance of the expedition, were devised as a way to keep morale high, with sporting events arranged to alleviate boredom during the long winters. For example in honour of King Edward VII's birthday on 8 November 1902, a general holiday was declared, the ship decorated with Union flags, and a sports day competition organised with events including a 'flat skis race' (won by Petty Officer Edgar Evans), a rifle shooting match and a toboggan race. It is unknown for what event, on what occasion, Royds was presented his medal. Subsequent to his Antarctic exploits he had a distinguished naval career, being appointed a Companion of St Michael and St George for his war service, prior to his retirement in 1926 on promotion to Rear-Admiral.

Provenance: Vice Admiral Sir Charles William Rawson Royds (1876-1931); Christie's, London, 10 April 1997, lot 130.