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[[File:Ernest Shackleton before 1909.jpg|250px|left]]
[[File:Order of the Snowflake Star.jpg|250px|left]]
Sir '''[[Ernest Shackleton|Ernest Henry Shackleton]]''' was a polar explorer who led three British expeditions to the [[Antarctica|Antarctic]], and one of the principal figures of the period known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.
The '''[[Order of the Snowflake]]''' is the second highest [[Orders of Westarctica|Order of Westarctica]]. The intention of the order is to honor those who have provided a service to [[Westarctica]]. It was created in January 2015.


After the race to the South Pole ended in December 1911 with [[Roald Amundsen]]'s conquest, Shackleton turned his attention to the crossing of [[Antarctica]] from sea to sea, via the pole. To this end he made preparations for what became the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1914–17. Disaster struck this expedition when its ship, ''[[Endurance]]'', became trapped in [[pack ice]] and was slowly crushed before the shore parties could be landed. The crew escaped by camping on the sea ice until it disintegrated, then by launching the lifeboats to reach Elephant Island and ultimately the inhabited island of South Georgia, a stormy ocean voyage of 720 nautical miles and Shackleton's most famous exploit.
Only the [[Grand Duke of Westarctica|Grand Duke]] himself has the power to bestow new knighthoods and thus far, he has awarded the medal to foreign dignitaries, artists, prominent nobles, and other supporters of Westarctica. All knights and dames receive the regalia of the class being bestowed; the Order of the Snowflake is always awarded for life. Membership entitles the bearer to attach the post-nomial "KtS" ("Knight of the Snowflake") or "DtS" ("Dame of the Snowflake") following their name. The highest grade, that of Knight Grand Cross, is reserved for Heads of State and members of the [[Royal Family of Westarctica|Royal Family]]. It remains the most rarely awarded class.


'''([[Ernest Shackleton|Full Article...]])'''
'''([[Order of the Snowflake|Full Article...]])'''