Handley Charles Beverly Croft

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Biografie:
Charles Beverly Croft Handley (1907-1966)
Handley was educated at Charterhouse and Wye College, and became an agricultural officer in North Kenya; in 1929 he did some minor climbing round Mount Kenya. His first alpine season was in 1921, in the Diablerets region, but, except for an ascent of Titlis in January, 1928, he did not commence regular ski-mountaineering in the Alps until 1935.
Although he had at an early age acquired a flying licence, when the war of 1939- 45 started he went into the Army (Rifle Brigade) and specialized in mountain warfare. While undergoing training in America, he managed to make a traverse of Sugarloaf(13,000ft.) in Colorado in 1943.
After the war he returned to ski-mountaineering; he was in the Oberland in February, 1948, in March, 1950 (when he made an ascent of the Gross Fiescherhorn), and in March, 1956 (with an ascent of the Mönch). In March, 1955, he was in the Valais; in April, 1959, in Norway; and in April, 1960, in the Grisons.
In the Kandahar Ski Club he was Honorary Secretary from 1934-51; Honorary Treasurer, 1947- 51; and Vice-President, 1952- 53. He was a prominent member of the Ski Club of Great Britain from 1949 onwards, and also in the Alpine Ski Club. He was elected to the Alpine Club in
December, 1960.
He had been brought up in East Anglia and in 1960 he returned there to farm. He was married in 1933 and had one daughter. To widow and daughter we extend our sympathy in their loss, a loss that will be widely shared in the Alpine Club, where Handley' s unfailing cheerfulness
and good humour had made him many friends.
S. B.
Mr. H. A. Gebbie writes:
Though I knew Handley only over the last eight or nine years of his life, I came to regard him as a quite outstanding person, with fine human qualities. He had a warm humanity and tolerance, and a boyish enthusiasm, but above all he had great loyalty and sincerity. As a devout Christian he derived satisfaction and strength from his faith, and, being the man he was, he worked hard for the Church he belonged to.
Though a trained professional in his chosen field of agriculture, with all the advantages of a deep knowledge, he still had the wonder and delight of a beginning amateur in growing things. His interest extended into many areas.
He was fond of shooting, and did at least some sailing each year. As well as an interest in flying, which was in part professional, he was a keen motorist who liked to keep up a high average. His skiing activities have been mentioned, but it should be added that, though he was an expert, he still could find time to help beginners. In fact, I had the impression that he always thought in terms of what he could do for his favourite sport, and never of what it might do for him.
Handley will be missed by people ranging over a broad spectrum, but not least by those who knew him for his good fellowship, a quality which he himself valued very highly.
Quelle: Alpine Journal Volume 72, 1967, Seite 189-190


Geboren am:
1907
Gestorben am:
18.04.1966