The Colonel & the Abominable Snowman:
We were able to pick out tracks of hares and foxes . . . but one that at first looked like a human foot puzzled us considerably . . . these tracks, which caused so much comment, were probably caused by a large ‘loping’ grey wolf.
Which in the soft snow formed double tracks rather like those of a barefooted man – that is, a wolf that had placed its paws in the depressions that had been made famous by its front paws.”
“Tibet, however, is not the only country where there exists a
‘bogey man’ . . . in Tibet he takes the form of a hairy man who lives in
the snows, and little Tibetan children who are naughty and disobedient
are frightened by wonderful fairy tales that are told about him.
To escape from him they must run down the hill, as then his long
hair falls over his eyes and he is unable to see them. Many other such
tales have they with which to strike terror into the hearts of bad boys
and girls.” (Charles Howard-Bury, 1921
“This striking name caught
people’s attention, and, more than any of the sightings or stories to
this point, made the creature the topic of interest outside the
Himalayas. With this catchy but inaccurate label, the creature went from
being a quaint local legend to an international phenomenon.” (Regal,
2002)
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The Colonel & Bilston
- Returned to Britain a celebrity, with his book ‘Mount Everest: The Reconnaissance,’ becoming an international best seller.
- The French translation featured a glowing reference from the Prince Roland Bonaparte
After delivering a series of lantern slideshows to vast crowds, the Colonel used his new found fame to turn his attention to national and international politics
.
- “The rising tide of feeling was in evidence
at Bilston on Wednesday evening, when Colonel Howard-Bury and other
speakers were subjected to some interruption.
- The candidate, however, roused his
supporters to enthusiasm by declaring that he came before them as an
Independent Conservative. He had no axe to grind, but looked upon it
as a man’s highest ideal to do what he could do for the State . . .
- The Empire had been built up by the private
enterprise of their forefathers, and they, having succeeded to the
heritage, intended seeing they did not lose it . . .
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The Colonel & Bilston- He wanted a spirit of friendship and
goodwill between all classes. They could not carry on with a spirit
of class war.” (The Express & Star, November, 1922)
- Won a slight majority
against Labour stalwart John Baker
Result announced by way of magic lantern
outside Professor Wood’s Picture Palace, where a large crown cheered
and called out the Colonel’s name
- Assigned as the Private Secretary to the
Secretary of State for War
The Final Years
“Behind the sometimes hell-raising exterior was a deeply
compassionate man whose financial and personal assistance to hospitals
and churches was vast, while he helped distressed local families to a
point that exceeded the bounds of prudence.” (Marian Keaney, 1990)
More about C.H.B. here |
