Koettlitz, Reginald, 1860-1916

Reginald Koettlitz was born on 23 December 1861. Of German extraction, he trained at Guy's Hospital and went into practice as a physician in Dover. In 1894 he volunteered as surgeon for the Jackson-Harmsworth Arctic Expedition, 1894-1897 (leader Frederick George Jackson) to Franz Josef Land and spent nearly three years in the Arctic Circle. Sledging expeditions were undertaken and the expedition met the Norwegian North Polar Expedition, 1893-1896 (leader Fridtjof Nansen) on 17 June 1896.

His experience gained him a place on the British National Antarctic Expedition, 1901-1904 (leader Robert Falcon Scott) where he doubled the role of senior surgeon with that of bacteriologist. He took part in several sledging expeditions, including an attempt on Cape Crozier in March 1902.

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