Well… the tragic events of 29 March 1912, in which Robert Falcon Scott and his four colleagues perished returning from their heroic but ill-fated expedition to the South Pole, left his widow Kathleen and only son, then 2.

Peter Markham Scott, born in Chelsea and educated at Oundle and Cambridge, went on to live an immensely rich and varied life. His achievements, in diverse fields, were remarkable. He’s principally celebrated for his tireless and groundbreaking work as an ornithologist, conservationist and wildlife artist.

Scott’s distinguished naval career saw him decorated in the war. He also found time to win a sailing bronze at the 1936 Munich Olympics, as well as being national champion at gliding and an accomplished ice-skater.

He co-founded the World Wildlife Fund and created its famous panda logo. His nature writing and tv work is extensive and respected, the long-running BBC series “Look” making him a household name. If that wasn’t enough, he’s even an Oscar winner. No less an authority than Sir David Attenborough describes him as the leading environmentalist of his time. His knighthood in 1973 recognised his huge contribution to conversation causes.

Less well known is that Scott had a passionate lifelong interest in the Loch Ness monster, coining the official name Nessiteras Rhombopteryx in an attempt to secure Nessie endangered species status (although cynics have mischievously suggested that this is an anagram of “monster hoax by Sir Peter S”). The jury’s out on that one.

What is less open to debate is that he was the preeminent bird artist of his day. So when, in 1951, the club christened its 2nd XV The Wild Geese (itself a term with profound historical significance), who better to create the new badge than the great painter himself?

To mark our 125th celebrations next year, the club is revisiting Scott’s wonderful original design.

(With thanks and acknowledgements to Paul Murphy, Terry Long, Chris Jones and Dafila Scott)