Securing the 1924 expedition team

24th October 1923

In October, Sandy received an invitation from the Mount Everest Committee to join the 1924 expedition. The letter arrived at a time of unprecedented emotional turmoil in Sandy’s life, one that opens a window onto his most vulnerable side. His best friend Dick Summers had proposed to Sandy's own sister Evelyn, who had accepted. This was completely unexpected, and Sandy's immediate reaction wasn't the most positive.

He did, however, then write to his friend, discuss the matter, and apologise, closing off the letter with a memorable pair of lines:  “Subject to Medical Examination I have been finally accepted so I’m again walking on the metaphorical air". And then concluded - Sandy wasn't very good at spelling nor literary subjects: "I haven’t time to read this through again so forgive any errors of punctuation, alliteration or constipation". Shortly thereafter, he successfully passed the medical examination.

Sandy's signed contract, seen below, was sent off on the 19th November. 

Photograph of original (private collection)