Letter sent from Frank Wild to his Cousin
August 1920

Francis Bickerton, James McIlroy and Frank Wild, joined in an adventure to East Africa in 1920, here is a communication from Frank Wild.


"This is a copy of the part of the original letter (sent by Wild to his cousin Margaret in 1920) which was in the possession of my late aunt, Mrs. Sheila Birks.  It was sent to her many years ago by a lady named Maureen (surname unknown), who at that time was working for the Shackleton Society?, Antarctic Society?, and had been in touch with my aunt for some time.

I hope you have fun reading the enclosure, but it makes one blush nowadays to read the colonialist's view of things. Wild's estimates of the costs are amazing. It all sounds like a Boys' Book of Adventure Stories: which well sums up the life of my great-uncle."

Yours sincerely, Rhona Schmitz

Communications and letter published here by kind permission of Rhona Schmitz - Great niece of Dr. James McIlroy - Surgeon Endurance 1914-17, Surgeon Quest- Ernest Shackleton 1921 - 1922.
 



Biographical information - I am concentrating on the Polar experiences of the men involved. Any further information or pictures visitors may have will be gratefully received. Please email  - Paul Ward, webmaster.

What are the chances that my ancestor was an unsung part of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration?


Ernest Shackleton Books and Video

 

South - Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance Expedition
South - Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance Expedition (1919)
original footage - Video


Shackleton - The Greatest Survival Story of All Time (3-Disc Collector's Edition)
Shackleton
dramatization
Kenneth Branagh (2002) - Video
 

Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure (Large Format)
Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure (2001)
IMAX dramatization - Video

The Endurance - Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition
The Endurance - Shackleton's Legendary Expedition (2000)
PBS NOVA, dramatization with original footage - Video
Endurance, The Greatest Adventure Story Ever Told, book
Endurance : Shackleton's Incredible Voyage
Alfred Lansing (Preface) - Book


South with Endurance:
Frank Hurley - official photographer
Book


South: The Story of Shackleton's Last Expedition, 1914-17
South! Ernest Shackleton
Shackleton's own words
Book

 Shackleton's Way: Leadership Lessons from the Great Antarctic Explorer
Shackleton's Way: Leadership Lessons from the Great Antarctic Explorer
Book

Shackleton's Boat Journey: The narrative of Frank Worsley
Book


 

Shackleton
biography by Roland
Huntford
Book

 
The Quest for Frank Wild, biography by Angie Butler
Book


The Endurance : Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition
by Caroline Alexander
Book

Mrs. Chippy's Last Expedition:
The Remarkable Journal of Shackleton's Polar-Bound Cat
Book

 
Shackleton's Forgotten Men
Lennard Bickel
Book


 
Elephant Island and Beyond: The Life and Diaries of Thomas Orde Lees Book
 
Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World, The True Story of the Endurance Expedition
Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World -
Jennifer Armstrong
for ages 12 and up
Book