Expedition party loses General Bruce

13th April 1924

During the trek, General Bruce, leader of the expedition, became too sick to continue, because of a severe recurrence of Malaria. The conduct of the expedition was then handed to Norton, who passed on the role of leader of the climbing party to Mallory. 

On this occasion, Sandy notes in his diary: 'Got bad news this afternoon. MacDonald arrived to say that General was returning to Darjeeling on a stretcher with malaria, & Hinkston was accompanying him. I spent a good time packing stores for their return. Bentham is worse & returning to a warmer place & lower altitude. If he came on & got worse he would have to be taken back by our last M.O. so depriving us of another climber & our only M.O. He may return by May 15th. Poor fellow, I do feel sorry for him. Left the rest discussing alterations to base camp position, to have a delightful hot bath. Feel fine & clean now.'