This blog relates how Scott Base started in 1956 from a spot for penguins at Pram Point, Ross Island to become in recent years, virtually a suburb of the giant US McMurdo Station. The information came mostly from Vern Gerard’s remarkable memory but also from his Antarctic diary of those years. He was one of the first party, of 23 including Hillary of Everest, to winter over in 1957 at the newly constructed Scott Base which he helped erect. At the time of this writing (2008) there are just 7 survivors of those originals. This account owes its existence to his illustrious niece Rebecca de los Reyes Arcega who insisted that he record it before departing this life.
In 1961, Vern was awarded the Polar Medal by Her Majesty the Queen Mother at Buckingham Palace.