A regional daily has helped solve a 115-year-old shorthand mystery involving polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.

The Royal Scottish Geographical Society enlisted the help of the Dundee Courier in a bid to decode notes written in Pitman shorthand at the bottom of Shackleton’s curriculum vitae.

The document was prepared by the explorer, who led three British expeditions to the Antarctic, to support his ultimately successful application to become the then Edinburgh-based director of RSGS in 1903.

Robert Falcon Scott, better known as Scott of the Antarctic, was quoted in the application, describing Shackleton as a “marvel of intelligent energy… never tired, always cheerful and is exceedingly popular with everyone.”

But the document, which was unearthed by the society in a trawl of its archives last year, contained shorthand notes in pencil which the society had been unable to decipher.

It is believed the notes were made during Shackleton’s interview for the position.

The society called on the Courier to ask people with experience of Pitman to come forward, with Michael Mulford, a former journalist at the newspaper and retired RAF PR man, among those to volunteer his services.

Michael – along with readers Phyllis Cleghorn, Sarah Boyd and Margaret Fisher – was able to decode the notes after spending hours with the original manuscript.

Courier acting editor Catriona MacInnes told HTFP: “Our readers love a mystery and it’s fantastic we have been able to play a part in deciphering the shorthand.

“The document first came to our attention last year and it has taken hours of painstaking research by enthusiasts, especially Michael Mulford, to break the written code.”

The shorthand notes read:

– Member very popular in geographical circles in London

– Later completed long course training designed for navigation

– We probably all share his enthusiasm for next Antarctic visit

– Considerable experience as a journalist down south [Antarctic]

– Various relevant certificates

RSGS chief executive Mike Robinson said: “When we found Shackleton’s CV in the bottom of a box in our archive, we were very excited.

“It is a great insight to the man – showing his appreciation for careful presentation and good publicity, and the networks at his disposal.

“Getting the shorthand deciphered has been fascinating, and we are grateful to the various Courier readers who have come forward to help piece the mystery together.”