Orde-Lees, Thomas
Dates
- Existence: 1877 - 1958
Biography
Thomas Hans Orde-Lees was born on May, 23, 1877. He was educated at Marlborough College, The Royal Naval School and at Sandhurst Military Academy. He joined the Royal Marines and was posted to China where he saw action during the Boxer Rebellion. In 1914, Orde-Lees was given permission to leave his military service and join Ernest Shakleton's expedition as a store keeper and motor expert. After the expedition he returned to military duty and joined the Royal Flying Corps, where he contributed to the pioneering of parachute jumping. He was stationed in Japan and remained there after W.W.I, teaching English and reading the English news on Japanese radio. In 1941 when Japan joined W.W.II, Orde-Lees and his family were evacuated to New Zealand where he died in 1958.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Thomas Orde-Lees diary
Thomas H. Orde-Lees (1877-1958), serviceman and member of Shakleton's expedition. Consist of the diary he kept during the expedition, some of which was used by Shackleton for his book "South." A preservation photocopy of the diary is also included.