James McIlroy, second surgeon aboard the Endurance

“…having been abroad in so many places, I couldn’t have settled down in England.”
— James McIlroy

“A sardonic, sarcastic blighter.”
— Lionel Greenstreet

“McIlroy heard by chance at his club that Shackleton wanted a second surgeon. He had only just returned after years practicing in Malaya, Egypt and Japan.”

‘I’m a bit nervous in front of you.’ — McIlroy

‘Shackleton could be a very frightening kind of individual.’ — McIlroy

Actually McIlroy was still suffering from malaria, which he did not disclose at that time. Shackleton told him to get a medical examination, and a physician’s pass for such a strenuous undertaking. McIlroy passed fit, and was hired on.”

— from Roland Huntford, Shackleton