Polar Medal 1904, E.VII.R., silver, 1 clasp, Antarctic 1902-04 (A.B. J. Handsley. “Discovery”) officially engraved naming, nearly extremely fine £6,000-£8,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas.

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Collection

37 silver medals awarded for Scott’s First Expedition, 1902-04.

Jesse Handsley was born in Skegness, near Lincoln, on 29 March 1876, and was a baker by trade before he joined the Royal Navy on 23 October 1891. Being trained in the Gunnery branch, he was advanced to Ordinary Seaman in March 1894, upon signing on for 12 years’ Continuous Service having reached his 18th Birthday. He was advanced to Able Seaman in April 1895. In December 1901, as an Able Seaman, he was selected as a crew member of the SS Discovery for Captain Scott’s expedition to the Antarctic, and joined Discovery from H.M.S. Ringerooma at Port Chalmers, New Zealand. He was specially promoted to Petty Officer 1st class, from 10 September 1904, ‘in recognition of his services with Discovery.’ Handsley was a PO 1st class for the remainder of his service until 3 June 1916, when he was ‘discharged dead’ from Gibraltar Hospital as the result of a gastric ulcer, and is buried in Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery.

Sold with copied record of service.