07/06/2026
All tributes are special and come in many forms.
As a florist I create funeral tributes for families and this coming week this florist remembers her Dad 54 years after Arctic Tragedy.
This coming week marks the last time I said goodbye to my dad. This goodbye was not his funeral but when he left for a two month army mountaineering expedition to Axel Heiberg Island which he was very much excited about.
When I look at the newspaper clippings kept by my mother each writes a remarkable piece of Donnington’s history published 54 years ago, recounting the tragic loss of Sergeant Kenneth Scaife during an Army expedition in the Arctic.
Kenneth, my dad lived at Army Donnington with his wife Edith and their four children, died after falling into a crevasse while exploring the mountainous wilderness of Axel Heiberg Island in the Canadian Arctic. Despite determined rescue efforts, his body could not be recovered.
Today, his memory lives on through his family. I remember a loving father whose passions extended far beyond his military service. Kenneth was a keen gardener who took great pride in cultivating his garden and sharing his love of the outdoors with those around him. He was also an enthusiastic adventurer, embracing mountaineering, canoeing and exploring some of the world’s most challenging landscapes.
Behind the headline of a tragic accident was a family left to carry on, preserving memories of a man taken far too soon. I now appreciate that the Glacier was named after him; Scaife Glacier was the only name the Canadian High Commission agreed to after the expedition.
For local historians, stories like Kenneth’s remind us that the history of Donnington and Telford is not just about buildings and places, but about the people who lived here, served their country, raised families, and left lasting legacies in their community.
The newspaper report describes a man dedicated to helping young people discover outdoor pursuits and adventure. Those who knew him remembered his energy, determination and love of nature—qualities that were evident both in his home life and in his pursuit of exploration.
More than five decades later, Kenneth’s story remains an important part of my family and I share with you.
Photo: Newspaper report from 1972 detailing the death of Sergeant Kenneth Scaife during an Arctic expedition.
