Lettered plaque with oval inset of explorers dragging a sled in Antarctica on the viewer's left hand side.

Sir Raymond Priestley, famous as an Antarctic explorer, became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham from 1937 to 1952. Trained as a geologist he embarked on the 'Nimrod' expedition to the Antarctic under the command of Ernest Shackleton in 1907. He came to Birmingham after 2 years at Melbourne University. Turner and Simpson were a Birmingham based silversmith company.

Inscriptions / Translations:  Main inscription: RAYMOND E. PRIESTLEY / KT., M.C., M.A., D.SC., LL.D. / 1886-1974 / VICE-CHANCELLOR / UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM / 1938-1952 / TO COMMEMORATE HIS LIFE AND WORK / PRESENTED BY THE GUILD OF GRADUATES AND / OTHER FRIENDS OF THE UNIVERSITY

Inset oval inscribed at border: .MEMBER OF THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITIONS . / SHACKLETON'S NIMROD 1907-1909 / SCOTT'S NORTHERN PARTY 1911-1913