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Everest - The 1920's


Three British expeditions were undertaken; a reconnaissance in 1921, and two summit attempts in 1922 and 1924. On the latter, George Leigh-Mallory and Andrew 'Sandy' Irvine werre lost near the summit.

To date, no postal items from the first reconnaissance have been recorded, and very few are known from 1922. Of the 1922 items recorded, two are connected with Dr Arthur Wakefield, the expedition doctor. One is an envelope addressed by Wakefield to his father in the UK. Dated July 20th 1922, the envelope was posted at Pharijong on the return to India.
On this expedition, seven porters were tragically lost in an avalanche. The second Wakefield item was written by his wife immediately after the news of the avalanche made the British press on 15th July.

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Letters and telegrams were the only means of communication, and the times taken for letters to reach either party were very lengthy. In her letter, Mrs Wakefield captures the isolation of the families left behind (although her fears for her husband were unfounded):

My dearest Arthur – Yours of June 1st came 13th (just after last week’s mail had gone) & I was glad to have it, for it seemed long since we had definite news of you. You were expecting to start next day for another climb, & I have waited anxiously for news of the result. Today’s paper there was a “disaster” caused by an avalanche & “7 porters killed” and Mallory, Somervell & Crawford were able to extricate themselves, & that 3 others, names not given, “were dug out just in time”. I think you must have been one of those three & I don’t know how to write about it. It is impossible to say what I feel, but I do thank God that all six lives were spared. I dare not think what injuries may have been received, & it is hard to wait, - but as I write these words, others flash into my mind – “In quietness & confidence shall be your strength,” so by His grace & help I will try to wait quietly & hopefully.

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