Reginald William Skelton

Reginald William Skelton (1872–1956) was the Chief Engineer and Official Photographer of the 1901-1904 Discovery Expedition to Antarctica.

Early life

Skelton was born at Long Sutton, Lincolnshire on 3 June 1872 and educated at Bromsgrove School. In 1891 Skelton entered the RNE College, Devonport. [ [http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/History/biography/skelton_reginald.htm Biographical details] ] Once commissioned he served on HMS Centurion and HMS Majestic before being appointed to superintend the building of Discovery for the 1901 National Antarctic Expedition. [ [http://www.south-pole.com/p0000089.htm Appointment details] ]

Polar exploration

Scott, the expedition leader, had been impressed with Skelton’s engineering abilities aboard the Majestic [Fiennes, 2003] and there were no serious difficulties with any of the machinery under Skelton's care throughout the three year expedition. Once established on the continent he became a well respected member of the team (Huxley 1978), eventually having 4 features named after him: an inlet, a glacier, an icefall and a lévé.

On his return he married his fiancée, the New Zealander Sybil Devenish-Meares: they had three children, two daughters and a son.

Later life

From 1906 Skelton helped develop the fledgling submarine service. During the First World War he was awarded the DSO for his actions at Jutland. Appointed CB in 1919, he continued to rise through the service, finally achieving the rank of Vice-Admiral: he was knighted in 1931 [Who was Who Vol V p1726 ] . He died on 5 September 1956 (Barne,1956).

References

Bibliography

* Obituary by Barne,M. The Geographical Journal, Vol. 122, No. 4 (Dec., 1956), pp. 533-534
*Scott Fiennes, R (2003 London Coronet)ISBN 0340826991
*Scott of the Antarctic Huxley,E.J.G (1978London, Atheneum) ISBN 0689108613
* Discovery Illustrated J V Skelton,J.V. & Wilson,D.W. (2001). Reardon Publishing. ISBN 1-873877-48-X
* The Antarctic Journals of Reginald Skelton: Skelton,J.V. (Ed) (2004, Reardon Publishing). ISBN 1873877684