Walter Ernest How was born in Bermondsey, London, on 25 December 1884. He was educated in Hemel Hempstead and went to sea at the age of twelve. After much experience at sea off the Labrador coast, he joined the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition [Weddell Sea Party], 1914-1916 (leader Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton) as able seaman in Endurance . After the ship was crushed in the pack ice of the Weddell Sea, he and his companions escaped in boats to Elephant Island. A party of six led by Shackleton made the epic journey from Elephant Island to South Georgia to seek help from the Stromness whaling station and in August 1916, How and the remaining members of the expedition were rescued from Elephant Island.
How made many sketches of the expedition, including some of the Endurance and the ships involved with the rescue of the Elephant Island party. He received the Polar Medal for his part in the expedition.
During the First World War, he served as able seaman in the Merchant Navy, and was blinded in one eye when his ship hit a German mine. After the war ended, he took on a variety of jobs, including painting and decorating, and continued sketching and painting in oils. He volunteered for the Shackleton-Rowett Antarctic Expedition, 1921-1922 (leader Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton), but had to withdraw due to the death of his father.
Around 1929 he commanded a yacht, The Macheeb, owned by the famous Beecham family, which cruised all around the Scottish Islands. In 1930, he became caretaker of the vessel Friendship, which was moored at London's Victoria Embankment near Hungerford Bridge. He held this post until the outbreak of the Second World War, when he went to work for the Tottenham Gas Company, a position he held until he retirement at the age of 70. He died in London on 5 August 1972.
From the guide to the Walter How collection, 1905-1943, (Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge)
