Brief Biography of Andrew Keith Jack.

(Known as Keith Jack)

Born 9 September 1885 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Died: 26 September 1966

He was educated at Brighton Grammar and Melbourne University where he gained Bachelor and then Master of Science degrees. He was teaching at the Dookie Agricultural College when he volunteered for the expedition.

(Andrew) Keith Jack was a member of the Ross Sea Party, stranded in Antarctica whilst laying down supplies for Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition; an expedition which foundered when Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance, was crushed in the ice. Jack kept a detailed diary over the 2 years they were stranded - following the loss of their ship, The Aurora - covering the many days in which they lay store depots beyond the pole from the Beardmore Glacier north to Ross Island.

Keith Jack also took many striking photographs, which were subsequently made into glass slides for use in a magic lantern. His meteorological records, given to Melbourne University in 1960, are important for assessing weather patterns and changes in the Ross Sea region

On his return from the Antarctic in 1917 he volunteered for the AIF but was seconded as a chemist to the Government Cordite Factory at Maribyrnong (later known as the Explosives Factory). Jack was appointed assistant manager in 1940 and was sent to Britain in 1943 as Australian Munitions Representative.

He later served as Chief Safety Officer for the Operational Safety Committee, (Dept. of Supply), 1947-1950.