Portrait of Thomas Whitfield

Photograph, black and white and framed, of Thomas Whitfield in uniform with two medals on chest, a polar medal and one from the Royal Geographical Society. Whitfield was one of the four stokers onboard the Discovery as part of the British National Antarctic Expedition 1901-1904, working mainly in the boiler and engine rooms. However, due to his bulky stature he was picked as part of the shore party and took part in a number of sledging journeys, most notably Wilson’s 1903 expedition to the Cape Crozier emperor penguin colony. On his return from the Antarctic he returned to the Navy where he was promoted to Chief Stoker. Leaving the Navy in 1911 he returned 3 years later when he was recalled for active service during World War I. In later life Whitfield retired to Hampshire where he died in 1942.