New book tells the incredible story of a Lincolnshire-born explorer who served with Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition

The book was put together by a group of descendants of Sir Jameson Adams, an amazing 20th century character, born in Rippingale, between Sleaford and Bourne in 1880.

Antarctic explorer, decorated naval officer, social reformer, and fundraiser for veterans, Sir Jameson Adams was led by his conscience and compassion for what he considered socially important. Largely unknown by the general public, Adams was the unsung hero in support of legendary Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, Admiral Hood, Lloyd George and King Edward VII.

After running away to sea as a teenager, Adams worked his way up through the Navy to play a pivotal role in defending the British coast. In 1907, he was chosen by Shackleton himself to be the Nimrod Expedition’s second-in-command, venturing further into the Antarctic than anyone had gone before.

Prime Minister Lloyd George personally selected Adams to transform the struggling Munitions Department during the First World War, while his 25-year career with the Ministry of Labour alongside Churchill and Beveridge

laid the foundations for the Welfare State.

This is a story of adventure and adversity; of courage, care and compassion; of the belief in a better future for everyone – and of always believing in humanity and hope.

A maverick, yet down-to-earth, Adams was endeared by everybody and known by all simply as 'The Mate', which is the title of the new book published on Thursday May 28. Descendants including his great-grandson Mark Cornell have led the initiative to produce this biography following a lifelong interest in both Antarctica and social reform. Mark is a businessman and currently serves as President and CEO of the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil.

The Mate's great grandson, David Cornell, completed some 'unfinished family business' in January 2008 when, along with three others, he completed the last 97 miles to the pole that the Nimrod team was unable to complete 100 years before.

H J Dawson is the Sussex-based writer, editor and researcher who has put the book together on behalf of the family. Since 2018, she has been Reader in Residence at Charleston, the Bloomsbury Group’s rural retreat, where she runs workshops and literary events. Her acclaimed plays, drawing on Bloomsbury diaries and letters, have been performed by actors including Helena Bonham Carter, Miranda Richardson and Jonathan Pryce.

This latest autobiography lifts Lifting a key figure out of the footnotes of history.

The Mate is available through Troubadour Publishing. Go to: https://troubador.co.uk/bookshop/biography/the-mate