Memorials remember Britons lost in Antarctica

The memorials were commissioned by the British Antarctic Monument Trust (BAMT) in tribute to the 29 Britons who have died in the British Antarctic Territory since 1948.

The memorial plaque in St Paul's Cathedral hangs in the crypt and will be dedicated in front of friends and family of the deceased during a special Evensong today.

The plaque is made of Welsh slate and Carrara marble and bears the inscription: “For those who lost their lives in Antarctica in pursuit of science to benefit us all.”

Canon Mark Oakley, Treasurer of St Paul's, is dedicating the memorial in the cathedral.

He said: "St Paul's is honoured to house this memorial to those British men and women who lost their lives for the sake of scientific research and discovery in the British Antarctic Territory.

"We hope that this memorial will both give comfort to their bereaved families and colleagues as well as remind all passers-by of those sacrifices that are made to understand the amazing intricacies of our planet and the cost of thinking we are somehow divorced from them.”

At a reception after the service Jane Rumble, Deputy Commissioner of the British Antarctic Territory at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and Professor Nick Owens, Director of British Antarctic Survey (BAS), will speak in remembrance of those Britons who died in the British Antarctic Territory in service of BAS, its predecessor FIDS (Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey), the Royal Navy and the Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI).

The monument being unveiled on Thursday at the Scott Polar Research Institute consists of two public sculptures separated by 8,000 miles but united in purpose.

The sculpture in the gardens of the Scott Polar Research Institute stands at over three metres high and is carved from British oak.

Fundraising continues for the second sculpture, a three metre high needle of stainless steel, to be erected in Stanley, capital of the Falkland Islands and gateway to Antarctica for most British scientists and support staff.

Roderick Rhys Jones, chairman of the BAMT, is spearheading the project.

“I was a surveyor on an expedition from the BAS Research Station Halley Bay in 1965, when three of my colleagues were killed when their tractor fell into a crevasse," he said.

"I have never forgotten them and wanted to create a lasting monument to them and the others who lost their lives in the pursuit of science in Antarctica.

"The response has been overwhelming. Families, friends and colleagues of those who died have donated generously and will be attending the service in St Paul’s from all over the world including Australia, Mexico, Canada and the US.”


Donations can be made at www.antarctic-monument.org