Army Polar Explorer On 'Surreal' MBE Award At Buckingham Palace

A British Army polar explorer has been awarded an MBE for leading a team of reservists across Antarctica.

Captain Louis Rudd received the honour at Buckingham Palace in recognition of his exploration of the continent.

Speaking to Forces News after the ceremony, Captain Rudd said: "To be in there [Buckingham Palace], the room is just incredible, the orchestra playing in the background - it was all quite surreal.

"I just really tried to concentrate on the moment and enjoy it as much as I could."

In just a few days time, Captain Rudd is again taking on another daring challenge.

This time he is hoping to become the first person to complete the 1,000-mile crossing of Antarctica completely on their own. 

"A very close friend of mine, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Worsley, sadly lost his life attempting this very expedition two years ago," Captain Rudd said.

"Ever since that incident really, it's kind of been eating away at me.

"I've actually called the polk that I'll be dragging behind me, 'Henry', so I'll be chatting to the polk, probably cursing it as I'm trying to drag it across all the ice ridges.

"I'm sure he will be watching over me throughout, keeping an eye out for me."

Also at Buckingham Palace was Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Sir Mark Poffley, who was receiving a knighthood and he praised Captain Rudd's achievements. 

"Let's be clear, he and a number of his ilk are just inspirational for a number of people so I'm hugely proud that, one - he's in the Army, and two - he's doing what he's doing and I do dearly hope he does turn up here sometime in the future," he said.

Captain Rudd starts his challenge on 1 November which he is calling the 'Spirit of Endurance Expedition', a project sponsored by SSVC.