Henry Worsley was just 50 kilometres - or two days if he had been in good physical condition - from completing his intrepid expedition.
Explorer Henry Worsley, who died after being rescued near the end of his solo bid to cross the Antarctic, has been described as a man of "true grit".
The charity for which the adventurer was raising money said his act of human endurance would serve as an inspiration to wounded servicemen and women as well as the wider British public.
David Wiseman, who heads the Endeavour Fund, on Monday paid tribute to Worsley as a "man who loved life and craved adventure".
Wiseman said Worsley, who died on Sunday, had joined his hero Sir Ernest Shackleton in history following the tragic end to his polar expedition.
Duke of Cambridge (left) with former Army officer Henry Worsley, 55, from Fulham, London Source: AAP
The trek was raising money for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, and is managed by the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
Worsley was just 50 kilometres - or two days if he had been in good physical condition - from completing his intrepid expedition.
Initially when he was airlifted off the ice more than 1450km into his trek, it was thought he was dehydrated and malnourished.
It was only discovered he was suffering from a serious infection to his abdomen when he was treated at Union Glacier base camp.
'I too have shot my bolt'
In his final diary entry, Worsley said he had given his all to the expedition.
"My journey is at an end," he said in the audio recording, released to the expedition team's website.
"I've run out of time, physical endurance, and simple sheer ability to slide one ski in front of the other to travel the distance required to reach my goal. My summit was just out of reach. I've spent 70 days on my own in a place I love. I'll lick my wounds, they will heal over time, and I'll come to terms with the disappointment."
Worsley also reflected on the achievements of his hero, Ernest Shackleton.
"When my hero Ernest Shackleton was 97 miles from the south pole on the morning of January 9 1909, he said he had shot his bolt," Worsley he said in his final recording.
"Well today, I have to inform you with some sadness that I too have shot my bolt … My summit is just out of reach."
Despite his disappointment, Worsley said he was pleased with his fundraising efforts and was looking forward to celebrating his own achievement in coming so far in his own expedition.
"The first thing I will do is have a hot cup of tea, perhaps some cake” — and then travel on to Chile. “I will gather my thoughts in a final message over the coming days. Signing off. Journey’s end. Talk to you later."
A man of 'true grit'
Wiseman said Worsley had showed immense courage.
"It's a demonstration of the character of the man in terms of his true grit and determination that he was actually able to carry on with such a serious infection in his body, that he could actually carry on on the ice ... until he was literally 30 miles away from his end point," he said.
His wife Joanna rushed to Chile where Worsley was flown to undergo surgery but, due to the distance, was unable to make it to see him before he died.
Wiseman, who was a captain in the Army before joining the Endeavour Fund after taking part in challenges for Walk With The Wounded, praised Worsley for his dedication to helping wounded and injured servicemen and women.
"Even after over 30 years of service in the British Army his service still wasn't done.
"What he wanted to do was continue serving the military community and he undertook this amazing Herculean expedition on behalf of wounded injured and sick service personnel."
Wiseman added: "I think one part of his legacy will be the fact that since Shackleton was such a great hero of his throughout his life, and polar exploration was a big part of his life, he's actually now become part of that history himself through the tragic conclusion to this expedition."
'A huge loss'
Prince William, patron of the Shackleton Solo expedition, paid tribute to Worsley, describing him as inspirational.
“We have lost a friend, but he will remain a source of inspiration to us all, especially those who will benefit from his support to the Endeavour Fund," he said.
Ernest Shackleton’s granddaughter, Alexandra Shackleton, said Worsley’s death was “a huge loss to the adventuring world”.
David Beckham, who met Worsley on a Unicef visit to Antarctica last year, said he was lost for words.
“No words can describe the sadness [at] the loss of Henry.”
Worsley's wife, Joanna, thanked supporters of Worsley's expedition in helping to raise A$205,000 for wounded soldiers.
Worsley leaves behind a son, Max, 21, and a daughter, Alicia, 19.
