Ford, C. Reginald (Charles Reginald), 1880-1972

Charles Reginald Ford was born in London in 1880. He joined the Royal Navy at the age of fifteen and volunteered for the British National Antarctic Expedition, 1901-1904 (leader Robert Falcon Scott), as a steward. He served also as Scott's secretary and accountant. In 1902, he broke a leg skiing, but in 1903, participated in a sledging trip to lay a depot for the Southern Party at Minna Bluff. On his return to Britain, Ford completed the expedition's financial affairs, which included the sale of the expedition ship Discovery . He then toured England as Scott's secretary during the latter's lecture tour and himself lectured in Canada and Australia. In 1906, he settled in New Zealand where he qualified as an architect, forming a partnership, which designed several public buildings in Auckland.

Ford published a short book on his experiences in Antarctica and a book on English ceramics, on which subject he was an expert. He died in Auckland, New Zealand, on 19 May 1972, the last survivor of the British National Antarctic Expedition.

Published work, Antarctica, leaves from a diary kept on board an exploring vessel by Charles Reginald Ford, Whitcombe & Tombs, Christchurch (1908) SPRI Library Shelf, Special Collection (7)91(08)[1901-1904 Scott]

From the guide to the Charles Reginald Ford collection, 1903 -1965, (Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge)