? In 1913 Scott's Terra Nova leaves Antarctica; by 1914 Scott's men are at war. A tale of friendship, death and survival February 1912: Harry Pennell and his Terra Nova shipmates land on Antarctica hoping to celebrate Scott's conquest of the Pole. Forced by ice to leave before Scott returns, they arrive in New Zealand to find that Amundsen reached the Pole in December 1911. Back in Antarctica in January 1913, they learn Scott and his party died on the return journey. Pennell and his fellow 'Antarctics'return to Britain, where a cycle of medal ceremonies and memorial services is interrupted by the outbreak of war. By 1919 Pennell and his friends have served at Antwerp, on the Western Front, at Gallipoli, in the Channel, at Jutland and Arctic Russia. They serve on horseback, in trenches, on battleships and hospital ships, in armoured cars and flimsy aircraft; their brothers-in-arms include a Prime Minister's son, poet Rupert Brooke (who takes a photograph of one of them) and the creator of a famous Cotswolds gardens. As in Antarctica, life is exciting but dangerous. As on the ice, not all Scott's 'Antarctics'survive. AUTHOR: Anne Strathie has worked in the business and arts/heritage sectors, including at Gloucester Cathedral, Cheltenham Festivals and Cheltenham Art Gallery eMuseum. When researching Birdie Bowers (THP, 2011) she visited Antarctica, including Scott's hut, and archives/sites in New Zealand and Britain. She has since attended Antarctic centenary events in Britain and New Zealand, sat on Cheltenham's Antarctic centenary working-group and given many talks on Bowers/Antarctica. She previously co-wrote 'Hugh Willoughby: The Man Who Loved Picassos' (2008) and is currently researching an (alleged) arsenic murder in Cheltenham in 1776. SELLING POINTS: ? The first group biography of those of Scott's men who survived the Terra Nova expedition and went to war the following year ? First book to explore the wide-range of First World War experiences of the 'Antarctics', including the Battle of Jutland and other well-known engagements ? Includes unpublished photographs of the 'Antarctics' ? Author wrote the acclaimed biography 'Birdie Bowers: Captain Scott's Marvel' 16pp b/w prints
