Tick Talk
[Moderator Emeritus]
2359
Perhaps I can help Michael
I've found contact info for Dr. Ken Hedges in Canada and will forward by PM. Unfortunately, no email so you may have to write a letter.
I'm very indebted to your post for discovering this remarkable man. Here is his bio as posted in the Journal of the Inuit Sled Dog:
Ken spent his early childhood years in the Fiji islands. With the outbreak of WW2, Ken's family returned to the UK where he completed his schooling, graduating in 1951 from the training ship, HMS "Worcester". (An earlier alumnus, Lt. "Birdie" Bowers had joined Scott of the Antarctic and tragically succumbed with him in their fateful return from the South Pole in 1912.) Ken later switched careers and graduated from the University of Liverpool Medical School in 1962. He served in the Royal Army Medical Corps for twelve years culminating in his appointment as Senior Specialist in Public Health at Army Headquarters, Northern Ireland. Ken completed six operational tours including four with the Special Air Service (SAS). It was from the SAS that he was invited to join the British Trans Arctic Expedition. On the successful completion of the first crossing of the Arctic Ocean, members of the four man crossing party were invested at Buckingham Palace with the Polar Medal, (distinctive for its white ribbon) the citation for which reads: "Conferred upon those who took an active part in an expedition which made notable advances in the exploration of Polar Regions and underwent the hazards and rigours of severe conditions in excess of 12 months."
Ken subsequently moved to Canada where he now lives in retirement just a few miles shy of 45ºN, almost exactly half way between the Equator and the North Pole! This message has been edited by Tick Talk on 2013-12-06 09:16:42
A real polar explorer's explorer.
This is a watch I have had some time, it has been great reading and finding out about the 1969 polar expedition and about the relationship between good friends Allan Gill and Sir Wally Herbert. After much searching I have still not been able to find out i...
What a record....
First things first...congratulations on pursuing the history. Regardless of whether you can pinpoint whether or not this specific watch went to the pole or not, you have revealed an enormous amount of history and historical potential for the watch. So man...
Thank you.
Thank you for the kind reply. Another mystery to me is that Rolex state in the letter the watch was "re-engraved", I wonder what that means? I believe when the engraving seen on the case back was done the whole case back was replaced, The inner case back ...
What a fabulously historical timepiece you have there
This may be far fetched, but you could possible send the watch to a lab for forensic testing to see if there are any traces of polar ice left between the crown and case. Would love to know how you came upon this wonder. I suspect if through auction, you w...
Explorer.
The watch was bought by a friend at a small local auction. He called me to ask me what I thought and I said get it no matter what. The auction house only had a copy letter from Rolex and the auction slipped by pretty unnoticed. I collected the watch from ...
What an interesting post ! .. Full of history of brave men with their endeavours ..
Wishing you good luck to find more pieces of this puzzle. Best regards, hs
A puzzle.
Thank you! That is exactly what the research has been like, a big puzzle, one which has missing pieces though. I shudder to think how many hours I have spent on this watch and on a couple of others over the last couple of years. All done in my free time t...
Yes...
....so often the "research" we do is like a detective story...and in many cases it can take years to unfold!!
A keeper!
Thanks for this nice moment of History, Michael. Here is mine, to acompany yours: Best, Nicolas ...
Very nice!
Very nice explorer. That is just the type of watch I like. Did you have to do much research? or were you already aware of the history behind the watch? Thanks Mick
Bezel
Glad you left the bezel alone Nicolas, the marks on watches like that are meant to be there., very cool watch. The probability of finding another watch like that on the market is 0. Do you wear the watch regularly? Thanks Mick
Yes, I wear it very often, and want to let it as it was.
These dings are part of its History. Best, Michael. Nicolas
A piece of history !
the true essence of the Explorer ! Thanks for sharing the watch and the story with us.
Perhaps I can help Michael
I've found contact info for Dr. Ken Hedges in Canada and will forward by PM. Unfortunately, no email so you may have to write a letter. I'm very indebted to your post for discovering this remarkable man. Here is his bio as posted in the Journal of the Inu...
Thank you!
Thank you for the kind and helpful reply's. I am going to call Dr Ken Hedges and will also write him a letter, I will report back if I uncover any more details. All the best Michael.
Good news update.
Thanks to Dean (tick talk) on this forum who provided the email address of Dr Ken Edges. With deans help I would not have made contact with Ken who is the last remaining member of the British trans Artic expedition of 1968-69. So I am very greatful for hi...