Sandy Irvine Exhibition Booklet

The Centenary
Exhibition
The Centenary Exhibition marks the
occasion with a display of items relating
to the 1924 expedition and the life of
Andrew Irvine (Old Salopian).
This exhibition is part of a wider
celebration of Andrew ‘Sandy’ Irvine
organised by Lower Sixth pupil Archie
Price Siddiqui, who has decided to
look into the 100th anniversary of the
climbers’ disappearance as part of his
Extended Project Qualification. Archie
contacted several institutions to request
the loaning of artefacts to allow the
exhibition to explore Irvine’s life from
childhood to his Everest ascent.
A number of poignant artefacts and
papers have been kindly loaned by the
Alpine Club, Merton College Oxford,
Magdalene College Cambridge, the
Mountain Heritage Trust, and the Royal
Geographical Society, including papers,
books, items of clothing, equipment,
photos, and other memorabilia. Other
items have come from the Shrewsbury
School Irvine Archive. The exhibition
also includes a display illustrating
the History of Mountaineering and
Hillwalking at Shrewsbury School from
1934 to the present.
The exhibition takes you into the life of
Andrew (Sandy) Irvine from childhood
and family, school at Shrewsbury, sporting
prowess as an oarsman at Shrewsbury
and Oxford. The centrepiece is a focus
on the 1924 Mount Everest Expedition,
which followed two previous attempts to
reach the summit in 1921 and 1922. The
exhibits give a picture of the rigours of
life on the mountain, the climbers, the
equipment, clothing, letters home, food
and cooking, as well and the magnificent
grandeur and scale of the place.
Exhibition Display Items
Some Items included in the Exhibition:
Merton College Oxford - Irvine’s rucksack patch and three letters related to the
expedition.
Magdalene College Cambridge - Letter from Odell regarding oxygen tanks used on
the mountain.
Mountain Heritage Trust - Replica mountain kit worn by Irvine and Mallory.
Royal Geographic Society - Assorted papers relating to the expedition
Shrewsbury School Archives - Mountaineering Club (the Rovers) minute books,
letters, photos and photo albums, expedition reports, and other papers.
Full list of Items on Display:
Alpine Club
Irvine’s Ice Axe found on Everest.
E.O. Shebbeare: Original Diary: Account
of the 1924 Everest expedition from 27th
March - 3 August, copiously illustrated with
photographs, maps etc., and with pencil
corrections/comments by the author. Includes
a translated typed extract from the diary of the
Chief Lama who blessed the expedition.
A typed note by Shebbeare, detailing the
adventures of this volume is pasted inside
the front cover. Comprises one red notebook
and one canvas bag. The bag is damaged and
stained with paint.
Two letters from Bentley Beetham en route to Everest 1924. Letter one - a sheet on
Anchor Line headed paper and one envelope. Letter two - Five sheets of lined paper.
Both letters were written by Bentley Beetham from the 1924 Everest Expedition to Mr
Stockdale at Barnard Castle School.