Victor Campbell collection

The collection comprises of material relating to the British Antarctic Expedition, 1910-1913 (leader Robert Falcon Scott) and Campbell's correspondence.

Victor Lindsey Arbuthnot Campbell was born in Brighton, England in 1875. He served briefly in the Merchant Navy before receiving a commission in the Royal Navy in 1895. He joined the British Antarctic Expedition, 1910-1913 (leader Robert Falcon Scott), as First Officer on the expedition ship Terra Nova. He was in command of the Northern Party, which left Cape Evans on 5 January 1911 to carry out the exploration of the coast west and south of Cape Adare. The party was to have been brought back by ship to the main base before the winter of 1912 set in, but gales and ice prevented the ship from reaching them. Campbell and his companions wintered in a snow cave on Inexpressible Island with very few rations, sustaining themselves by killing penguins and seals. On 30 September 1912, they set out on the 200-mile sledge journey to Cape Evans, arriving there on 7 November. He was promoted to the rank of Commander for his part in the expedition.

During the First World War he fought in the Dardanelles and was decorated three times. He retired from the Navy in 1922, serving briefly in the Second World War in Trinidad and Canada. He died in Canada on 19 November 1956.

The collection is split into sub-fonds covering expedition material and correspondence.

By appointment.

Some materials deposited at the Institute are NOT owned by the Institute. In such cases the archivist will advise about any requirements imposed by the owner. These may include seeking permission to read, extended closure, or other specific conditions.

Anyone wishing to consult material should ensure they note the entire MS reference and the name of the originator.

The term holograph is used when the item is wholly in the handwriting of the author. The term autograph is used when the author has signed the item.

Descriptions compiled by N. Boneham, Assistant Archivist with assistance from R. Stancombe and reference to The Polar Record, (May 1957) volume 8 number 56 p466 and Encyclopaedia of Antarctica and the Southern Oceans ed. Bernard Stonehouse. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester. (2002) ISBN 0471986658 SPRI Library Shelf (7) and Robert Keith Headland Antarctic Chronology, unpublished corrected revision of Chronological list of Antarctic expeditions and related historical events,(1 December 2001) Cambridge University Press (1989) ISBN 0521309034

Clive Holland Manuscripts in the Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge, England - a catalogue. Garland Publishing New York and London (1982) ISBN 0824093941

Additional finding aids are available at the Institute.

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Further accessions are possible.

See also GB 015 Leslie Quartermain (MS 1293/3;D 'Ten forgotten men of Antarctica')