First Arctic Medal

Arctic medal awarded to Captain William Henry Fawckner (1829-1914). Obverse: Head of Queen Victoria in a small diadem, (left) . Legend: 'VICTORIA REGINA'. Reverse: Port broadside view of a barque in the ice, a sledge party in the foreground, icebergs in the distance. Legend: 'FOR ARCTIC DISCOVERIES'. Exergue: '1818-1855'. The medal is suspended by a star and loop from a white ribbon. Uninscribed. Mounted with four other medals on a bar in a fitted wooden box.
Fawckner was serving as government agent of the supply ship 'Breadalbane' when she was crushed by ice on 20 August 1853 during Belcher's Arctic expedition in search of Sir John Franklin and afterwards transfered to HMS 'Phoenix'..

Object Details

ID: MED2250
Collection: Coins and medals
Type: Polar medal
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Wyon, Leonard Charles
Events: Arctic Exploration: Franklin Search Expedition, Belcher, 1852-1854
Date made: 1857
People: Fawckner, William Henry
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: 33 mm
Parts: First Arctic Medal
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