British and World Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Polar Medal 1904, G.VI.R., bronze, 1 clasp, Antarctic 1925-35 (James Purvis) good very fine £2500-3000

Only three Polar Medals for ‘Antarctic 1925-35’ were issued (London Gazette 7 July 1941 refers), from a total of 82 George VI Bronze Polar Medals and four Bronze Clasps.

James Purvis served for seven seasons in the Antarctic, namely as an Ordinary Seaman in Discovery during 1925-27, in the same rate in Alert during 1928-30, as an Able Seaman in Discovery II during 1930-31 and as an Assistant Cook during 1933-35. He was later advanced to Petty Officer in the Royal Navy. The ‘Purvis glacier’ on South Georgia was named after him.