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Victor Berry - Biographical notes

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Victor Berry - Shackleton Nimrod 1907-1909 Able Seaman

Born 1883, London - Able Seaman, sailed from London 1907 to Lyttleton NZ and then to Antarctica and back to Lyttleton Jan-Mar 1908.


Victor Berry (left) and Walter Spice (right)
presumably onboard the Nimrod from London to Lyttleton 1907

My family legend has it that my great uncle Victor Berry sailed on the Nimrod with Shackleton. Not long ago, searching through family photos, I came across a photo of two sailors (which I had seen before but not looked at closely). Under a magnifier, much to my surprise I read the name 'Nimrod' on their hats. This seems to confirm the family legend and they could well be standing on the Nimrod.

I would be very interested to see if Victor Berry exists on any crew list for the Nimrod

Mike Rothon

It seems that your family legend is correct.

Victor Berry - born 1883, London - Able Seaman, sailed from London 1907 to Lyttleton NZ and then to Antarctica and back to Lyttleton Jan-Mar 1908.

Any chance of a scan of the photograph?

Regards

Paul Ward - webmaster CoolAntarctica


Thanks so much for your reply. I attach a copy of the photo.

Underneath the figures are their names written in inverted script. It must have been written on the back of the negative. Victor is the left hand figure and the other is a Walter Spice of whom I know nothing. I get the impression that this must have been an official photograph. Perhaps the Nimrod is recognisable fro the background?

When I was a child I remember that my Grandparents had a framed picture on the wall of about 20 or so sailors assembled in front of a mast on a ship. I'm sure that I was told that it was the Nimrod.

According to my father's written memories, Victor was a 'pier head jump' taking the place of someone who went sick. He later became a Master Mariner but during the slump, took a job with the London Fumigation Co. but died due to an accident with a gas mask.

I am so delighted that our family legend is authentic.

Many, many thanks for you information. I hope the photo is interesting

Mike Rothon

Nimrod
Personnel

Summary

Adams, Jameson Boyd - second in command and meteorologist

Armitage, Bertram

Brocklehurst, Sir Philip Lee - assistant geologist

Cheetham, Alfred - Third officer and boatswain

David, Edgeworth - Director of scientific staff, geologist

Davis, John K. - first officer

Day, Bernard - electrician / motor mechanic

Dunlop, Henry J. L. - chief engineer

England, Lieutenant Rupert - R.H.R., ships Master

Joyce, Ernest - general storeman, dogs, sledges, zoological collections

Mackay, Dr. Alistair Forbes - assistant surgeon

Mackintosh, Aeneas Lionel Acton - second officer

Marshall, Dr. Eric Stewart - surgeon, cartographer

Marston, George Edward - artist

Mawson, Douglas - physicist

Michell, Dr. William Arthur Rupert - surgeon

Murray, James - biologist

Priestley, Raymond E. - geologist

Roberts, William C. - cook

Shackleton, Ernest - Expedition leader

Wild, Frank - in charge of provisions

 

Biographical information - This is a difficult area to research, I am concentrating on the Polar experiences of the men involved. Any further information or pictures visitors may have is gratefully received. Please email  - Paul Ward, webmaster.
What are the chances that my ancestor was an unsung part of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration?
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