Kerry-born Tom Crean ran away from home as a youth, and joined Scott's Discovery voyage in December 1901, not returning to England until 1904. He returned to the Antarctic with Scott on his fateful attempt on the South Pole, eventually having to bury him. By now one of the most experienced people in such extreme climates, he was invited to join Scott's great rival Shackleton on his Endurance expedition. Once again, he played a leading role, and sailed in the open James Caird across the southern ocean to South Georgia to sound the alarm for the stranded team in the Antarctic. Crean was a true hero of his age, who then retired to live quietly with his family in Ireland.