Richard W. Richards
Encyclopedia
Richard Walter Richards, GC
often referred to as Dick Richards, born at Bendigo, Victoria in 1893, was an Australian science teacher who joined Sir Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition
in December 1914 as a physicist with the Ross Sea Party
under Captain Aeneas Mackintosh
. Richards was barely 21 years old, and had just completed his studies at Melbourne University, when SY Aurora sailed. He was to outlive all other members of the expedition, and became the last survivor of the so-called "Heroic Age" of Antarctic exploration, dying at the age of 91 in 1985.
whom Richards admired. It was Richards who first noticed the disappearance of the Aurora during a gale on 6 May 1915, and coincidentally he was the first to sight her on her return, 20 months later. During the intervening period while the shore party was stranded, Richards participated in the harrowing march to the Beardmore Glacier
, laying depots for Shackleton's expected transcontinental party, which of course never came. He observed the deaths of Arnold Spencer-Smith
, Victor Hayward
and Mackintosh during the journey back from the Beardmore, and was thereafter confined to his bunk for several weeks, suffering from exhaustion and depression.
in 1923 for his efforts on the ice to save the lives of Spencer-Smith and Mackintosh, this award being converted in 1971 to the George Cross
, an exchange offered to all Albert Medal holders then living. He is further commemorated by the Richards Inlet at 83°20′S 168°30′E , and also by the Richard W Richards Medal at the Ballarat College of Advanced Education.
It is reported that Richards signed up for the Trans-Antarctic Expedition without any discussion of payment, and that on his return he received the sum of £70.
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
often referred to as Dick Richards, born at Bendigo, Victoria in 1893, was an Australian science teacher who joined Sir Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition
Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition
The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition , also known as the Endurance Expedition, is considered the last major expedition of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. Conceived by Sir Ernest Shackleton, the expedition was an attempt to make the first land crossing of the Antarctic continent...
in December 1914 as a physicist with the Ross Sea Party
Ross Sea Party
The Ross Sea party was a component of Sir Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914–17. Its task was to lay a series of supply depots across the Great Ice Barrier from the Ross Sea to the Beardmore Glacier, along the polar route established by earlier Antarctic expeditions...
under Captain Aeneas Mackintosh
Aeneas Mackintosh
Aeneas Lionel Acton Mackintosh was a British Merchant Navy officer and Antarctic explorer, who commanded the Ross Sea party as part of Sir Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1914–17...
. Richards was barely 21 years old, and had just completed his studies at Melbourne University, when SY Aurora sailed. He was to outlive all other members of the expedition, and became the last survivor of the so-called "Heroic Age" of Antarctic exploration, dying at the age of 91 in 1985.
With the Ross Sea Party
On the ill-starred Ross Sea Party, Richards learned sledging and polar travel techniques from Ernest JoyceErnest Joyce
Ernest Edward Mills Joyce AM was a Royal Naval seaman and explorer who participated in four Antarctic expeditions during the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, early in the early 20th century. He served under both Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton...
whom Richards admired. It was Richards who first noticed the disappearance of the Aurora during a gale on 6 May 1915, and coincidentally he was the first to sight her on her return, 20 months later. During the intervening period while the shore party was stranded, Richards participated in the harrowing march to the Beardmore Glacier
Beardmore Glacier
The Beardmore Glacier in Antarctica is one of the largest glaciers in the world, with a length exceeding 160 km . The glacier is one of the main passages from the Ross Ice Shelf through the Queen Alexandra and Commonwealth ranges of the Transantarctic Mountains to the Antarctic Plateau, and was one...
, laying depots for Shackleton's expected transcontinental party, which of course never came. He observed the deaths of Arnold Spencer-Smith
Arnold Spencer-Smith
Arnold Patrick Spencer-Smith was a British clergyman and amateur photographer who joined Sir Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1914–17, as Chaplain and photographer on the Ross Sea party. The hardship of the expedition resulted in Spencer-Smith's death...
, Victor Hayward
Victor Hayward
Victor George Hayward AM was a London-born accounts clerk whose taste for adventure took him to Antarctica as a member of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1914–17...
and Mackintosh during the journey back from the Beardmore, and was thereafter confined to his bunk for several weeks, suffering from exhaustion and depression.
Post-expedition career
After rescue in January 1917, and his return to Australia, Richards taught at the School of Mines and Industry at Ballarat. After acting as a government adviser on optical apparatus during World War II he returned to Ballarat in 1948, as Principal of the College, retiring in 1958. During his later years he was frequently consulted by historians and chroniclers of polar exploration, often expressing his views in trenchant terms. He maintained the view that, though the depot-laying journey was ultimately unnecessary, it was not futile, but was a demonstration of what the human spirit could accomplish in adversity.Honours and memorials
Richard Richards was awarded the Albert MedalAlbert Medal
Albert Medal may refer to:* Albert Medal , awarded for lifesaving.* Albert Medal , awarded by the Royal Society of Arts....
in 1923 for his efforts on the ice to save the lives of Spencer-Smith and Mackintosh, this award being converted in 1971 to the George Cross
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
, an exchange offered to all Albert Medal holders then living. He is further commemorated by the Richards Inlet at 83°20′S 168°30′E , and also by the Richard W Richards Medal at the Ballarat College of Advanced Education.
It is reported that Richards signed up for the Trans-Antarctic Expedition without any discussion of payment, and that on his return he received the sum of £70.
Sources
- Lennard Bickel: Shackleton's Forgotten Men, Random House 2000
- M&J Fisher: Shackleton (biog.) James Barrie Books 1957
- Roland Huntford: Shackleton (biog.) Hodder & Stougton 1985
- http://www.heritage.antarctica.org
- http://www.gc-database.co.uk
- Ernest Shackleton: South Century Ltd edition, Ed Peter King 1991