Cups, saucers and cutlery from Captain Scott’s famous Terra Nova expedition that were kept by a crew member are to be sold by his granddaughters.

Frederick Parsons was the last survivor of the Antarctic expedition and he died in 1970 aged 91.

He kept his memorabilia from the famous voyage all his life and it has passed down through his family.

One of the famous photographs from the expedition of the ship’s crew shows the cleanly shaven Parsons on deck.

The submariner had applied to go on the expedition in 1910 and managed to get a letter of recommendation from an officer – and that led to him being selected.

Although Cpt Scott and four colleagues made it to the South Pole, they had been beaten by Norwegian Roald Amundsen and all died on the return journey.

The porcelain was especially made for the expedition and was purposely strong and every piece had a picture of a penguin on it.

The items are to go under the hammer at Duke’s auction house in Dorchester, were they are expected to fetch £4,450.

Frederick’s granddaughter Margaret Simpson, from Bridport, said: “My grandfather applied to go on the expedition to help his family with money.

“He was a strong character and very brave and he was in submarines during the first world war so he had his share of luck as well.

“He kept these items and they have passed down to me and my sister, but we’re getting older and to be honest I'm worried about breaking them.”

Speaking later in his life Parsons said: “I applied to Captain Scott’s headquarters in Westminster.

“A reply told me that my name would be put on the roster for consideration; and, I thought, that was the end of that.

“But I’m determined. It struck me that if I could get a recommendation from an officer, it might carry some weight.

“I wrote to Captain Hall, by then the senior submarine officer, with whom I had served in several ships.

“The following April I had orders to report to the expedition HQ in London.

“When I arrived Lieutenant Evans, Scott’s second in command, was awaiting me, and after a short interview I received orders to report next morning, when Captain Scott himself would see me.

“Scott was known as a most efficient officer. Physically, he was on the short side. He was always courteous and was a perfect gentleman.

“‘Sit down, Parsons’, he greeted me. And when I did so, he went on: ‘I’ve had a letter from Captain Hall recommending you; and if an officer thinks enough of you to write me a personal letter, I have decided to accept his word.’ “So I was in. My wife was a bit cut up about it, but she never opposed me in any way.”

Andrew Marlborough, from Duke’s, said: “It is very exciting to sell items from this famous expedition.

“The porcelain has a logo with a penguin on so it is easy to identify.

“Frederick Pearsons did well to get these items because many might have just been thrown away.

The sale is on September 29.