1990.794.1

Edward Wilson's watch

Swiss pocket watch in silver half-hunter case; about 1910. Belonged to Dr Edward Adrian Wilson, and was found with his body in the Antarctic (November 1912). The Terra Nova Expedition (1910-1913). The watch was later given to his godson, Hugh Munro Fraser, as recorded by the engraved inscription on the reverse.

Switzerland

1910

Early 20th century

silver, enamel, gilt metal

THIS WATCH WAS TAKEN BY / DR. E. A. WILSON / TO THE SOUTH POLE / JANUARY 1912, / AND WAS GIVEN BY HIS WIDOW, / TO HIS GODSON / HUGH MUNRO FRASER525785[or 4]2578 / 5959 / 7766G / 0.935 [ within an oval] / [two lions in profile, one facing left, one facing right]Royal Mail Lines, Limited. On Board / The Royal Mail Liner / "Atlantis"[sheet 1] January .7. 1935. / I am very glad that Hugh Fraser has this half chronometer / watch, the history of which so far as I know, is as / follows. / In 1910 it was taken by Wilson, whose private property it was, / as an additional deck watch upon the Terra Nova. It was / kept in the chronometer room upon the voyage and wound / and rated by Pennell every morning with myself helping / him. It was taken by Wilson upon the Depot Journey, / but I cannot remember that we had any chronometer / on the Winter Journey. It was taken by Wilson again / on the Polar Journey, worn in a little pocket / specially sewn onto his vest just under his belt / on the left side. It has been to the South Pole and / he was wearing it when he died in March 1912. / When the Search Party found the tent in / [sheet 2] November 1912 Atkinson and I collected and took charge / of everything in the tent. At Atkinson's request I took this watch from the little pocket in Wilson's vest and /so it came back to England in 1913. / Apsley Cherry-Garrard.