The Polar medal, which has just been awarded to the members of Mr Watkins' British Arctic Air Route Expedition (London Gazette, November 4, 1932), has a long history behind it, and is perhaps the most interesting of British medals. A medal is now given for either Arctic or Antarctic service, but originally Arctic service only was rewarded. There were two Arctic medals granted last century; the more general Polar medal dates from 1904.

The growing output of polar books shows that Arctic and Antarctic regions still exercise a fascination, both to the explorer, and to the reading public; and the disappearance of the two-volume book is a welcome result both of financial stringency, and of a less verbose age. The conquest of the poles has allowed exploration to be diverted into more useful directions than the mere attainment of a high latitude. At the same time there is no denying that it has robbed polar work of a popular zest, and will not make it easy to raise funds for a large-scale expedition in the future. A two years' effort in the Antarctic will have to be done on scantier means than several of the expeditions for pre-war days, for the popular appeal will be restricted. And again, more is now expected, because more is possible with modern methods and technique, and knowledge of past mistakes. Byrd's marvellous flight to the South Pole and back stirred imagination comparatively little, while Greenland can now be crossed without the public taking the slightest interest. Contrast such successful ventures with the world-wide interest in Andrée's abortive attempt to fly in 1897, or the sensation caused by Nansen's crossing of Greenland in 1888.