Former Glengorse School, where George Mallory studied, Eastbourne

Image: © Andrew Diack Taken: 29 Apr 2024

The photo shows an east-facing view of the building at 1 Chesterfield Road in Eastbourne, which still bears the name “Broomhill” as it did when it was a school. Broomhill was the site of Glengorse Preparatory School, where the young George Herbert Leigh Mallory studied prior to his days as a renowned mountaineer. The 22-room school was founded in 1890 but later joined Hydeyne and Telham schools before relocating to Battle. George Mallory attended Glencourse School from the age of 9, and he left four years later, in 1900. Mallory was a successful student, and he competed against stiff competition to win a scholarship in mathematics at the prestigious Winchester College. Although Mallory loved climbing, even as a child, it was at Winchester that he developed his interest and ability in mountaineering. Mallory went on to take part in the first three British Everest expeditions. By the time of the third expedition, Mallory knew Mount Everest better than anyone else, but, tragically, both he and his climbing partner Andrew “Sandy” Irvine lost their lives there; their bodies were only recovered 75 years later, in 1999. The disappearance of the two climbers gave rise to long-standing speculation as to whether or not they achieved their goal by being the first to reach the summit. During an interview for The New York Times, Mallory was asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, and he is particularly remembered for his famous four-word reply, “Because it is there."

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