This watch was a gift to Sigurjon ( John) Isfeld from Sir Ernest Shackelton he supplied the dogs to shackelton. How did they meet ? How did they stay connected ? All fascinating stuff.
Originally from Iceland Sigurjon Isfeld immigrated to Gimli, Manitoba, Canada. Sigurjon along with JB Johnson from his community supplied Sled dogs to some very famous polar explorers. Sir Ernest Shackelton as well as Admiral Richard Byrd and quite possibly Gimli born Vilhjalmur Stefansson were just a few of his clients of the day. These dogs from Gimli played a significant role in what some historians refer to as one of the greatest survival stories of all time. This being Sir Ernest Shackelton's expedition to Antarctica in 1914.
He as well as others from his community also provided dogs to the Northwest Mounted Police , The Hudson's Bay Company , as well as the Hollywood film industry. He made important contributions to his home province of Manitoba in developing it's northern frontiers. Lake Winnipeg was in fact a main route during the fur trade era. His daughter Aurora married Ian Innes-Taylor the brother of Alan Innes-Taylor (order of Canada) who was a member of Admiral Richard Byrd's expedition to the South Pole 1n 1933. These two brothers were pioneers in Canadian aviation and would frequent Gimli by Air. Below are copies of telegrams sent by Alan Innes-Taylor on behalf of Admiral Byrd placing the actual delivery order of the dogs for the 1933 expedition. Admiral Byrd flew over both the North and the South Pole. Alan Innes -Taylor was an Expeditor for Admiral Byrd and went on as well to build Canada's northern most weather station to name just a few of this mans accomplishments.
These are recently found family photos. However to see most of the really amazing photos of the Dogs that came from Gimli that were taken by Frank Hurley of Shackelton's expedition team. PLEASE EXPLORE these links below. http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/library/archives/shackleton/articles/N:_999a.html
http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/library/pictures/expeditions/endurance/1.html
http://www.aina.ucalgary.ca/scripts/minisa.dll/144/proe/proarc/se+arctic,+v.+37,+no.++1,+Mar.+1984,*?COMMANDSEARCH
http://www.archivescanada.ca/english/search/ItemDisplay.asp?sessionKey=999999999_142&l=0&lvl=1&v=0&coll=1&itm=268061&rt=1&bill=1
http://www.hougengroup.com/yukonhistory/nuggets_year/2000s.aspx?nugget=1982
http://www.interactivestudio.ca/fokker2/history.htm