The latest islands to be named within British Antarctic Territory include titles that are linked to the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office's (UKHO) location and personnel.
Amongst the six newly-named islands are 'Taunton Island' named after the UKHO's hometown in Somerset; 'Lambert Island' named after former National Hydrographer Rear Admiral Nick Lambert and 'Willett Island' after UKHO Geographic Manager Andy Willett.
The islands are part of the group of Aitcho (HO) Islands named after the Hydrographic Office in 1935. These lie between Table Island and Dee Island, English Strait and South Shetland Islands.
The citation says that Taunton Island was named after the location of the UKHO, where printing works have been since 1941 and the rest of the office has been located since 1968.
There is also a 'Cricklewood Island' named after the pre-1968 location of the UKHO in Middlesex and 'Bath Island' after the city where sections of the UKHO were temporarily located during WWII.
Lambert Island was named after the Admiral for his service as commanding officer of Royal Navy survey vessel HMS Endurance and for other significant contributions he made to furthering Antarctic science. He served as National Hydrographer from 2010-2012.
Andy Willett, who has worked for the UKHO for 35 years, said he was honoured have an island bear his name for his work for the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO).
