July 2026 marks the 150th anniversary of Surgeon Commander George Murray Levick RN’s birth (1876-1956), who founded Public Schools Exploring Society in 1932 – which we now know as British Exploring Society.
Between 1932-1956, ‘The Admiral’ (as he was fondly known) was chairman of the society and led various expeditions, accompanied by the hard work, loyalty and companionship of Edith Audrey Mason Murray Levick (nee Beeton) (1890-1980).
From our first expedition to Finland in 1932, to Kyrgyzstan and Knoydart in 2026, British Exploring Society has taken young people on purposeful and impactful adventures across all seven continents in which over 12,500 volunteer Leaders and Young Explorers have taken part.
Although much has changed since 1932, the basic concept advocated by the Murray Levicks – young people in small self-contained groups experiencing adventure and learning in remote areas – remains at the core of British Exploring Society.
