Murray Levick: Caring for the War Wounded
Antarctic explorer and former Budleigh Salterton resident George Murray Levick as he emerged from his six-month refuge in an ice cave on 24 September 1912 Photo credit: Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge Murray Levick deserves to be honoured not just for his exploits as an an Antarctic explorer, but also for his pioneering work to help disabled veterans in the aftermath of World War One. A case of trench feet suffered by unidentified soldier in 1917 Photo credit: Library and Archives Canada/PA-149311 / Levick saw service himself in the Great War, taking part in the Gallipoli campaign. Fortunately for him he survived unscathed but thousands of servicemen had not been so lucky. Even if they had avoided injury through enemy action, many were left suffering from the effects of ailments such as trench feet. It's been estimated that as many as 20,000 soldiers in the British Army alone during 1914 fell victim to the disease. Evidently this was an a...