Interviews done by Matthew Leonard in 2002 for Antarctica NZ and Radio New Zealand on the experiences of New Zealanders on the ice.
Leonard identifies the tape, “… interview with Dr. Vern Gerard on 25th July 2002 at his home in Silverstream, Wellington…”. Vern identifies himself, “Vernon Bruce Gerard… MSC and PHD… date of birth was 13th Dec 1924…”
Gerard’s parents were immigrants from England who settled in Christchurch in the 1860s. Growing up in Christchurch he attended New Zealand’s first Intermediate school where algebra, geometry, French and science was introduced at an early level and it was at this age a scientific interest was sparked. Gerard went on to Christchurch Technical College and then studied Physics and Maths at Canterbury College where his thesis work was on the Ionosphere, related to geomagnetism.
Gerard got a job in a magnetic observatory the objective of which was to record all the components of the earth’s magnetic field. At that time the information, recorded on photographic paper, was important for compass navigation which relied on the earth’s magnetic field, other implications included radio propagation during the war. After graduating Gerard went to the Apua Magnetic Observatory, Samoa where he carried difficult, specialised work.
By 1949 Gerard was back in New Zealand and working at the Christchurch Observatory where he met the Director of the Department of International Scientific Research (DISR), now called the Crown Research Institute, Dr Marsden. Marsden was responsible for getting Gerard involved in preparations for magnetic and aurora work associated with an anticipated expedition to the Balleny Islands in the Antarctic and although the project eventually fell through, provided Gerard with an Antarctic hook.
There was an air of interest for the Antarctic from the general public because Scott and Shakelton’s expeditions were still fresh in people’s minds and an untapped knowledge existed. Based in Christchurch the idea of going to the Antarctic was like going to the moon now, as so few people had been. After the formal acceptance, two months of training began on the Tasman Glacier. Gerard found this introduction to mountaineering, physically demanding having only completed one traverse across the Southern Alps through a fairly low grade experience in Harpers Pass. The expedition was favourably regarded by most people however the Antarctic was a bone of contention with his wife.
The shipping vessel, HMNZS Endeavour transported the Transantarctic Expedition (TAE) members, two planes and huskie dogs whilst members of the International Geological Year (IGY) were transported on the U.S. ice breaker, The Glacier. The IGY was modelled on the International Polar Years of 1882-3 and 1932-3 and intended scientists from around the world to make co-ordinated observations of various geophysical phenomena. The other IGY members were Dr Trevor Hatherton (leader), Neil Sandford, Peter McDonald and Herb Orr. Each member had their own programme, Gerard monitored geomagnetic fields; Sandford, the Ionosphere and radio interference; Orr, seismological activity and McDonald, radiation and sea level recordings.
On arriving at Scott Base they had to live in tents. The prefabricated mess hut was erected first and Gerard’s ‘Magnetic’ huts last towards the end of February 1957, however it was necessary for the entire camp to be rearranged to accommodate the magnetic requirements of Gerard’s hut. The instruments needed to be located at a distance of at least 100 yards from radio equipment and clear of all vehicle thorough fare. In fact Scott Base was not ideal from a magnetic point of view but they just had to accept it.
Gerard worked very hard for the first couple of months installing nine sets of magnetometers but once installed he only had to visit them every 12 hours and carry out absolute spot observations once a week to keep track of figures. He didn’t get on with Hatherton whom he regarded as rather a lazy fellow, having avoided the Tasman Glacier training and only assigning himself the Aurora observation job which required little effort.
Recording was done on sheets of photographic paper and every twelve hours Gerard made the trip across to the main hut to source more paper from the darkroom. Ed installed a life line for Gerard, which he used a few times in the case of blizzards. Ed was good at getting from A to B but didn’t have the same scientific focus as Sir Vivian Fuchs, who carried out scientific observation throughout his entire journey.
He remembers during the winter months Dr George Marsh had regarded him as unfit and took him out with the dogs for a bit of exercise where he ran beside the sledge, not on it. He suffered a bit of frost bite on fingers in temperatures of -50C which was common unless you wore three pairs of gloves. He recollects giving a lecture on ‘Interplanetary travel’ which was popular at the time. If anyone had any problems they went to see the second in command Bob Miller, who Gerard describes as “an amazing man”. Gerard particularly enjoyed the company of Jim Bates, Murray Ellis, George Marsh and Richard Brooke.
In retrospect Vern could see Ed had been planning the trip to South Pole all winter. Gerard doesn’t believe the decision accomplished anything extra for the TAE but like everyone else, it wasn’t a surprise to hear Ed had made that decision; he was a very determined character. Gerard wondered if they would make it to the South Pole on the tractors but knew having Jim Bates on Ed’s team would give them a good chance (Bates being an inventive engineer). Gerard confirms that the war ethics still prevailed and accounted for a lot of secrecy and giving information out on a need to know basis. Gerard says Ed was well liked by the Americans and believed they received help because of his relationship with Admiral Dufek.
The IGY party left Scott base in the summer of 1958 with the TAE party. Back in New Zealand he made a report and sent the data to Japan for interpretation and collation. Gerard returned to Antarctic in the summer of 1958-9 sort out his predecessor and train Sandford’s brother in the magnetic programme. He found it was to some extent like coming home as he had the same bunk which no one had slept in since his departure.
Following Antarctica he headed to England where he got a join the National Physical Lab in London which was considered to be important work at the time. Although he had the Antarctic kudos he felt he was looked down upon, viewed as the ‘colonial’ and in turn he found the English had a distinct lack of geographical knowledge of the Antarctic.