Michael Barne

Second Lieutenant – Discovery Expedition

Born 15th October 1877 – Died 31st May 1961

Michael Barne, who was Second Lieutenant on Robert Falcon Scott’s, Discovery Expedition, died on the 31st of May 1961. He was the last surviving member of the expedition, and passed away at the age of 83.
Born at Sotterley Park, Suffolk in 1877, he joined the Navy as Midshipman in 1893. In 1901 Scott appointed him Second Lieutenant for the Antarctic expedition, and he would earn the Polar Medal for his contribution. He had written extensive notes on his experiences over the course of the expedition, detailing both his specialist fields of magnetronemy and soundings.

He married after returning from Antarctica, and later served in the First World War, earning the Distinguished Service Order medal. He retired with the rank of Captain in 1919, but during the Second World War he returned to duty to command an anti-submarine patrol ship.

Michael Barne (1877 – 1961) – Biographical notes

Officers of the ‘Discovery’ on the 1901-1904 British Antarctic Expedition.
From left: Edward Adrian Wilson, Ernest Henry Shackleton, Albert Armitage, Michael Barne, Mr Koettlitz, Reginald Skelton, Robert Falcon Scott, Charles Royds, Louis Bernacchi, Hartley Travers Ferrar, T V Hodgson. Taken by an unidentified photographer, ca 1901.

Sources – Officers of the `Discovery’ on the 1901-1904 British Antarctic Expedition. Ref: 1/2-032270-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23220724
Biography – Wikipedia

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