An international search is under way for descendants or relatives of a former Caterham resident who was a distinguished World War I hero and Antarctic explorer. New Zealand born Eric Norman Webb MC DSO lived quietly in Tupwood Lane, Caterham in the early 1980's after his retirement as an engineer who worked on major hydro-electric projects in India and Canada. His daughter (married name unknown) also lived nearby at this time.

As a magnetician, Eric was a member of the 1911-14 Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE), led by Sir Douglas Mawson at Cape Denison, recording for the first time variations to the magnetic field close to the south magnetic pole. Eric finished the First World War with the rank of Major and turned to hydro-electric engineering before retiring. It is understood he was a resident of Falmouth, Cornwall during the 1960's before he moved to Caterham. He died in 1984, the last surviving member of the AAE which was part of the 'heroic era' of Antarctic exploration. With the centenary of the departure of the AAE from Hobart, Tasmania to be celebrated in December this year, a world-wide search is under way for descendants or relatives of Webb and the other 30 members of the expedition.

Anyone who is able to assist in locating Eric's descendants or relatives is asked to contact the Mawson's Huts Foundation in Australia which is organising a centenary dinner and other events for relatives of the AAE in December this year. If you have any information about Eric's relatives please email: david.jensen@mawsonshuts. org.au