My brother-in-law isn't just a relative of mine, but a hero as well

Not many of us would choose to follow months in Helmand by a punishing trek to the South Pole, but then people like Henry are not like most of us

Every year, Remembrance Day tugs harder at my consciousness. Clearly, awareness of being in my “second half” is one reason, as is improved knowledge of my late father’s wartime army experiences and a greater appreciation of the direct links between previous generations’ sacrifices and our current relative freedoms (including not wearing a poppy if one so chooses).

This year, something else has struck me: the sheer youth of those who died, were captured or seriously injured. Watching the BBC’s coverage many of the veterans’ interviews were all along the lines of “I was 19 when captured” or “I spent my 19th birthday in hospital”. Those wounded at that young age who battle to rehabilitate their lives are nothing less than inspirational.

So, today if you will indulge me a little, I would like to draw your attention to someone who is doing something meaningful to help his wounded comrades. Lt Col Henry Worsley has just retired after a magnificent 36-year Army career during which he served in Afghanistan (twice) among many other postings.

In his spare time and now retirement, Henry, who happens to be my brother-in-law, is an explorer; yes, a good-old-fashioned Antarctic adventurer whose passion is his Edwardian predecessors: Shackleton, Scott and Amundsen.

Not many of us would choose to follow months in Helmand by a punishing trek to the South Pole, but then people like Henry are not like most of us. The only man ever to have completed the two classic routes of the historic trio all the way to the South Pole, he is now waiting in Chile for weather clearance to commence the first solo crossing of Antarctica, unaided and unassisted!

That’s 1,100 miles, which he aims to complete in 75 days. Why? Partly because it hasn’t been done before, but mostly in aid of the Endeavour Fund, which supports wounded soldiers. You can find out more and even donate via Shackleton Solo.

I can’t think of a better way of turning silent remembrance into something tangible.

Stefano Hatfield is editor in chief of High50.com