UKC

Band, Cooksey and Gregory in New Year Honours List

© Band
George Band received an OBE for his services to mountaineering and charity in today's New Year Honours list

Born in 1929, George Band was the youngest person on the 1953 Everest expedition. In 1955, Band and Joe Brown made the first ascent of Kangchenjunga 8,586m (28,160 feet). He has been president of the Alpine Club and the British Mountaineering Council. His books include, Road to Rakaposhi and in 2003, Everest 50 Years on Top of the World. In 2007 he wrote Summit, a book celebrating 150 years of the Alpine Club. George is currently Chairman of the Himalayan Trust (UK).

Members of the Order of the British Empire were awarded to two climbers for their services to mountain rescue.

Dr. Albert Roy Cooksey received an MBE for his voluntary service to the Coniston Mountain Rescue Team in Cumbria as did Barry David Gregory for his voluntary service to Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire.


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31 Dec, 2008
Hurrah - well done Cooksey's dad.
31 Dec, 2008
Woodhead MRT isn't in Holmfirth, IIRC it's in Penistone about 20 miles to the east!
31 Dec, 2008
Great news about Band. The recognition is very belated. Kangchenjunga was the only 8000m peak with a first ascent by Brits. Wasn't until 1970 that any more British citizens stood on top of an 8000ers (by any route).
31 Dec, 2008
George was also the first person to greet and congratulate Hillary and Tenzing during their descent from the summit of Everest. Ed had tears in his eyes when he recalled it.
31 Dec, 2008
Heyyy nice one Barry - do I have to curtsey now?? ;-)
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