British Graham Land expedition facts for kids

The British Graham Land Expedition (BGLE) was an important journey to Antarctica between 1934 and 1937. Led by John Rymill, this team spent two years exploring Graham Land. They discovered that Graham Land was actually a peninsula, not an island.

The expedition used a mix of old and new exploration methods. They traveled with dog sleds, but also used motor sledges and a special de Havilland Fox Moth airplane for exploring from above. Their main ship was an old sailing vessel called the Penola, which had a tricky engine. Another ship, the Discovery II, helped bring them extra supplies.

This expedition was one of the last big Antarctic trips paid for mostly by private donations. Even with a small budget, the team achieved great scientific success. They mapped and took aerial photos of about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of the Graham Land coast. All sixteen members who landed in Antarctica were awarded the Polar Medal for their bravery and hard work.

Who Was Part of the Expedition?

Many brave people joined the British Graham Land Expedition. Here are some of the notable members:

• Duncan Carse joined the expedition ship in the Falkland Islands.
• Launcelot Fleming later became a Bishop (a high-ranking church leader) in England.
• Dr. Brian Birley Roberts helped create the Antarctic Treaty, an agreement that keeps Antarctica peaceful and used for science.
• Edward W. Bingham was in charge of the expedition's sled dogs.
• Quintin Riley was another key member of the team.
• Robert Ryder was the captain of the Penola. He later received the Victoria Cross, a very high award for bravery, for his actions in a daring naval operation.

See also

• List of Antarctic expeditions
• Noel Atherton
• Discovery Investigations