Born in New Zealand in 1872, Frank Worsley is best known as a member of Shackleton's Antarctic Expedition of 1914-1916. He captained the Endurance, and, after it became trapped in ice, went with other members of the expedition by ship's lifeboat to Elephant Island. From there he, Shackleton and and four others sailed the lifeboat James Caird to South Georgia. Shackleton, Frank Worsley and a seaman hiked in very difficult conditions across South Georgia to the whaling station of Stromness to seek help, leading to the rescue of the expedition members who had stayed behind on Elephant Island.
Frank Worsley went on to serve in the Royal Navy in World War 1. In recognition of successfully ramming a German U-boat, sinking it with all hands except the Captain of the submarine (whom was rescued), Lieut Cdr Worsley was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) on 16 November 1917. Also receiving was future "Quest" shipmate Lieut Douglas George Jeffery.[1]
He was attached to the North Russian Expeditionary Force and took part in the fighting against the Bolsheviks in 1919. He was awarded a bar to his DSO on 14 October 1919 for Honours for Services in Russia, 1919. "Lieut.-Cdr. Frank Arthur Worsley, D.S.O., R.D., R.N.R. In recognition of the gallantry displayed by him at Pocha in North Russia between the 2nd and 5th August, 1919. This officer formed one of a large patrol which in circumstances of great danger and difficulty penetrated many miles behind the enemy lines, and by his unfailingly cheery leadership he kept up the spirits of all under trying conditions. By his assistance in bridging an unfordable river behind the enemy lines, he greatly helped the success of the enterprise."[2]
From 1921 to 1922 he captained the Quest in Shackleton's last Antarctic expedition. He also led an Arctic expedition.
During World War 2 he at first worked with the Red Cross in France and Norway before falsifying his age so he could serve in the merchant navy: when his true age was discovered, he was discharged. He died of lung cancer in Claygate, Surrey, England.
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Categories: New Zealand, Notables | Notables | Antarctic Explorers and Researchers | Arctic Explorers