My grandfather, Aeneas Francon Williams, and grandmother, Clara, were missionaries stationed in Kalimpong, Bengal, at St Andrew's Homes, where my father was born in 1916. The 1922 Everest Expedition with George Mallory (the first expedition to attempt to conquer Everest) arrived at the Homes for three days relaxation en route to base camp. Mallory and another mountaineer stayed with my grandparents in their house for the three days they were there, and my grandfather and Dad played football with the mountaineers and a round of golf. Dad was aged 5 and a half when they visited so his football skills were limited. Dad recounted wonderful stories of their stay to my sister and me when we were children.
Today's news of Sandy Irvine's booted foot discovery is terrific news. Did Mallory and Irvine conquer Everest on the second Everest Expedition in 1924!!!