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Eric Webb

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Eric Norman Webb DSO MC (1889–1984) was an engineer known for his role as chief magnetician on the Australasian Antarctic Expedition.

Biography

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Eric Norman Webb was born in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1889. He studied civil engineering at the University of Canterbury and worked at the Melbourne Observatory carrying out observations for the Carnegie Institution for Science.[1][2]

At age 22 he was selected as chief magnetician on Sir Douglas Mawson's Australasian Antarctic Expedition. Part of his role while based at Cape Denison was to take daily measurements from the Magnetograph House, which he carried out daily regardless of the sometimes difficult conditions.[3][1] He took part in a sledging journey with Edward Frederick Robert Bage and Frank Hurley to the South Magnetic Pole, a round trip of 960km.[4] Both Cape Webb and Webb Subglacial Trench are named after him.[2]

Webb served in the British Army during World War I.[1] He enlisted in the 7th Field Company Engineers and embarked from Sydney on 30 November 2015 on board HMAT A23 Suffolk. He received the Military Cross, Distinguished Service Order,[5] 1914–15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, and was mentioned in despatches.[6] The citation for his MC, appearing in The London Gazette in February 1919, reads as follows:

During operations near Peronne from the 29th to 31st August, 1918, he displayed the greatest courage, skill, and powers of leadership and organisation in constructing and repairing bridges for crossing the Somme, under continuous shell and machine-gun fire. He also carried out valuable reconnaissances on water supply and roads up to the front line to assist the advance, and throughout this period his untiring efforts and determination contributed in a large measure to the success of the operations.[7]

He later worked in hydroelectric projects including the Churchill Falls Generating Station (then known as Hamilton Falls) in Labrador, Canada.[1] He visited Australia in 1974 and was interviewed for ABC Television about his role in the Australasian Antarctic Expedition.[8]

Eric Webb was the last surviving member of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition. He died on 23 January 1984.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Eric Norman Webb". Home of the Blizzard. Department of the Environment. 26 October 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Eric Norman Webb – Biographical Notes". Cool Antarctica. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  3. ^ "History". Mawson's Huts Replica Museum. Mawson's Huts Foundation. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  4. ^ "Australia Today – Antarctic Pioneers". National Film and Sound Archive. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  5. ^ "No. 29886". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 December 1916. p. 44.
  6. ^ "Details". www.aif.adfa.edu.au. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  7. ^ "No. 31158". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 January 1919. p. 1616.
  8. ^ Lugg, Desmond (December 2012). "Glimpses of a bygone era". Australian Antarctic Magazine (23). Retrieved 3 August 2015.
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