# William Lashly — The Worst Journey in the World character guide

> William Lashly in The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Lashly, Day, Day , Lashly

**First appearance:** 0003-the-worst-journey-in-the-world

## Snapshot

Stoker and sledger whose mechanical skill and steady endurance made him one of the quiet pillars of the expedition's supporting work.

## Who they are

Lashly came from the engine room rather than the quarterdeck, a practical man whose hands were as useful with a cooker or a sledge repair as with a shovel. He pulled on the long depot journeys and belonged to that class of men Cherry clearly admired: unglamorous, tireless, and utterly reliable when the weather turned. His presence in the middle chapters embodies the expedition's dependence on labour that history tends to overlook.

## In the story

### [Spring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/viii-spring)

Engineer for the motor party; keeps a diary detailing the motors' struggles with overheating and breakdowns.

### [The Barrier Stage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/i-the-barrier-stage)

Lashly is part of the man-hauling party with Teddy Evans, contributing to the group's efforts after the motor failure.

### [The Beardmore Glacier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/ii-the-beardmore-glacier)

Part of team II, has been man-hauling since the motor breakdown at Corner Camp.

### [XI: The Polar Journey (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/xi-the-polar-journey-continued)

Lashly was part of the last supporting party that turned back on January 4; his man-hauling feat is noted as one of the great polar achievements.

### [III: The Plateau from Mount Darwin to Lat. 87° 2′ S.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/iii-the-plateau-from-mount-darwin-to-lat-87-2-s)

Part of the second team; his man-hauling feat from Corner Camp to beyond 87° S. is noted as one of the great polar achievements.

### [The Polar Journey (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/xii-the-polar-journey-continued)

Diary author for the Last Supporting Party; describes the harrowing pressure ridges, Teddy Evans' snow blindness, and the desperate push to reach the depot.

### [Returning Parties](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/iv-returning-parties)

Lashly keeps the diary of the return journey, leads the sledge when others are snow-blind, and stays with the incapacitated Evans.

### [XIII: Suspense](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/xiii-suspense)

Cared for Teddy Evans during the crisis; his diary records the events.

### [XIV: The Last Winter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/xiv-the-last-winter)

Takes charge of the seven mules and is involved in the discussion about the Polar Party's fate.

### [Another Spring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/xv-another-spring)

Discusses the possible fate of the Southern Party and describes the treacherous icefalls and crevasses encountered on the return from the Beardmore Glacier.

### [XVI: The Search Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/xvi-the-search-journey)

Part of the mule party, helps with the search.

### [The Pole and After](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/v-the-pole-and-after)

Part of the last supporting party that turned back with Teddy Evans and Crean.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/endnotes)

Referenced for his diary recording oil shortage at the Middle Barrier Depot.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/characters/lashly
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/characters