| Summary: | Few men graced the Heroic Age of polar exploration more gallantly than one Tom Crean. He rose from obscurity to become one of the leading figures in the race to explore the last unknown continent, Antarctica. Tom Crean, born in Annascaul Co. Kerry in 1877 enlisted in Queen Victoria's British Navy at the age of 15. Coincidence saw him at Lyttleton harbour, Chlistchurch, New Zealand at the time when Scott was making his final preparations for what would be the first great Antarctic expedition, the Discovery expedition. Crean was transferred to the Discovery and received his first taste Of polar exploration (the Discovery expedition ran from 1901 — 1904). He retumed twice to the icy continent; again with Scott on the Terra Nova (1910 — 1913), and finally with Shackleton on the Endurance (1914-17). During all three expeditions, Clean proved himself an invaluable team member, performing a number of outstanding feats. His dependability, physical and mental stlength, and good humour played an important role in each of the thlee polar journeys. He was a true hero. However, while there are many accounts of the epic adventures of Shackleton, Scott, Amundsen and many others, Crean's contribution to Antarctic exploration seems to have gone, for the most part, unrecognised, and he has largely been forgotten by society. It is essentially only today that Tom Crean is beginning to get the recognition he so lightly deserves as his name is added to the list Of heroes who have distinguished Antarctic exploration. Few men graced the Heroic Age of polar exploration more gallantly than one Tom Crean. He rose from obscurity to become one of the leading figures in the race to explore the last unknown continent, Antarctica. Tom Crean, born in Annascaul Co. Kerry in 1877 enlisted in Queen Victoria's British Navy at the age of 15. Coincidence saw him at Lyttleton harbour, Chlistchurch, New Zealand at the time when Scott was making his final preparations for what would be the first great Antarctic expedition, the Discovery expedition. ...
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