Adam Ayles (1850 – 4 April 1912) was an Arctic explorer who served under George Nares as the Petty Officer of HMS Alert in the British Arctic Expedition.
He left school at age twelve and worked on a farm for a few years.
He joined the British navy in 1867 and served in fighting in Ethiopia that year.
He was the one member of the expedition that did not succumb to scurvy, and walked more than 100 miles across the ice to get relief to the others.
It was noted at the time that he was the only teetotaller on the expedition, and Punch celebrated his achievement in verse: A health to gallant Adam Ayles, Who o'er the topers still prevails, From scurvy safe and Arctic gales, Through drinking only Adam's Ales.