Tom Crean, an Irish navy, was part of three major Antarctic expeditions but unfortunately has been forgotten in time.
Tom was born in Annascaul, Co. Kerry in 1877 into a family of ten kids. At the age of twelve he was forced to quit school to help with the farm.
In 1893, Tom, enlisted than navy lying about his age stating he was 16 but in fact was 15.
In 1901, he was stationed in New Zealand, where he volunteered to be part of Robert Scott’s Antarctic expedition and so his career as an Arctic explorer began.
During the Antarctic winter of 1902, the ship was stuck in the ice and Crean and the most of the crew were trapped there till February 1904.
In 1910, Crean was enlisted by Scott for his Terra Nova expiation.
On the expedition, after…show more content… Too weak to continue, Crane decided it would be best to continue the journey alone to get rescue.
Tom marched for a nonstop of 18 hours, through the harsh conditions of Antarctica, and reached help.
Tom and William were later rewarded the Albert Medal for their courage.
However, after the rest of the crew didn’t return from the Pole, Tom was part of the rescue party that discovered their remains in November 1912.
Tom’s third, last and most probably the most memorable expedition was under the authority of Ernest Shackleton, who wanted to walk from coast to coast of Antarctica.
However, before they could reach, the ship was crushed in the ice. The crew made the dangerous journey to Elephant Island. Twenty-two of the men stayed on the island.
Crean, Shackleton and Frank Worsley travelled by open boat to South Georgia to get help.
They then travelled on foot over uncharted land for 36 continuous hours, until they reached a whaling station to get rescue for the remaining crew.
Tom was also involved in the rescue of the 22 men on Elephant Island.
Although, straight after his return to the South, he was rushed into the horrors of WW1. Luckily, he survived the war and retired in 1920 after 27 years of
