An 1846 pattern presentation naval officer's sword, Retailed by Whiteman, outfitter, Lion Terrace, Portsea,

of regulation specifications, the blade etched with foliage, the crowned Royal Arms and A. Ayles from the officers of H.M.S Alert 2nd August 1881 on one sie, crowned fouled anchor and foliage on the other and Arctic expedition 1875/6 on the back edge, the hilt retaining its original sword knot, with original scabbard 

Adam Ayles born in 1850, ran away to join the Navy at the age of 12. He became a Chief Petty Officer of HMS Alert, one of the two ships that made the Royal Navy 's last attempt to reach the North Pole commencing on 29th May 1875. They reached Greenland in August of that year but were unable to travel further due to the ship becoming trapped in ice. They continued their expedition by sledge with Ayles leading one of the teams chosing to journey West - unfortunately they never reached their destination. Upon his return he received the Arctic medal, promotion and this presentation sword.