PETER DRUMMOND SMITH was a talented artist, a skilful pilot, and a fine mountaineer, yet those of us who met him in one of these fields knew little or nothing of his prowess in the others. Though he had many interests, and lived a very full life, he was always self-effacing and talked little of his own personal achievements. His enterprising spirit and his great courage, are perhaps the best remembered of his many qualities.
While he was up at King’s from 1948-51 he was one of the most active and fearless members of the C.U.M.C., and when he went on to the Royal Academy to continue his architectural studies, most of his free time was spent in the hills. He was a beautifully balanced rock-climber, and an accomplished skier, and had been devoting a great deal of his time before his death to improving his knowledge of snow and ice conditions in Scotland and the Alps. It is probable that a full account of his wanderings with David Monro during their Easter visit to Scotland in 1952 would show that remarkable feats were accomplished.
It was always a joy to climb with him. He was quite imperturbable, and the quiet confidence of a skilled leader was conveyed to the last man on his rope. If difficulties arose, he was always thoughtful and unselfish, and could find the redeeming feature in the most unpromising circumstances. We shall miss him in the huts, on the slopes, and on the high ridges.
A.M.C.
DAVID HENRY MONRO was born at Rooiberg, South Africa, on August 9th, 1926.
His early years were a struggle against ill health, and as result of this he took up athletics. At King’s College, Cambridge, he showed. great promise as a half-miler, until the demands of training began to clash with his work; so in 1947 he gave up running and joined the C.U.M.C., leaving his term time clear for his studies.
Subsequently his enthusiasm for the hills absorbed more and more of his life, so that during the next five years he managed to spend a total of no lese than nine months climbing.
Rock climbing came to him easily – aided by his long reach and lean figure, but it was on snow and ice, however, that he was at his best and happiest. He disliked considering a route at length, preferring to set about it at once or leave it alone. An accomplished photographer, he would wander over the hills for hours with his camera.
I remember vividly his affection for the Northern Highlands and his youthful and burning enthusiasm when discussing his expeditions in the desolate country around An Teallach which he regarded as his personal preserve.
In the bad conditions that kept other climbers in the C.I.C. Hut on Ben Nevis on 1st April, David and Peter decided they must do something. It appeared that they had completed South Castle fully and were descending easy ground when they were overwhelmed by an avalanche.
David’s tragic loss cut short an academic career full of promise. At the time of his death he was Nuffield Research Scholar at Imperial College engaged on work that would have brought him his B.Sc. this year.
(Courtesy of C.C.J.) J. F. Mawz.