Hubert Wilkins

Born

1888-10-31

Died

1958-11-30

Birthplace

Mount Bryan East, South Australia

Biography

Sir George Hubert Wilkins (31 October 1888 – 30 November 1958) was an Australian polar explorer, ornithologist, pilot, soldier, geographer and photographer. He was awarded the Military Cross after he assumed command of a group of American soldiers who had lost their officers during the Battle of the Hindenburg Line, and became the only official Australian photographer from any war to receive a combat medal. He narrowly failed in an attempt to be the first to cross under the North Pole in a submarine but was able to prove that submarines were capable of operating beneath the polar ice cap, thereby paving the way for future successful missions.