Athy explorer Shackleton to get royal stamp of approval in UK

The heroic exploits of Athy polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton are among the historic figures and events that will be honoured by UK postage stamps next year.

The set of Royal Mail stamps being issued in January’s will recall Shackleton’s epic Antarctic voyage 100 years ago to get help for his stranded crew.

Other themes in the stamp collection will include the Great Fire of London, William Shakespeare, Agatha Christie, the Queen’s 90th birthday and the First World War.

Shackleton has become a model for leadership largely because of his achievement in keeping his team together during a near two-year ordeal in the Antarctic after their mission to traverse the continent went awry.

The expedition began in August 1914, but by January 1915 their ship, Endurance, had become stuck in sea ice and eventually sank, leaving the crew stranded for months until they were able to reach the uninhabited Elephant Island.

Along with six companions, Shackleton then braved a voyage of 720 nautical miles in an open boat to the whaling stations of South Georgia to get help for his crew.

They were finally rescued in August 1916.