Gillett William Alan

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Biografie:
William Alan Gillett (1879- 1959)
Sir William Alan Gillett, who died on February 18, 1959, lived almost long enough to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of his election to the Club in March 1909. Sir Alan Gillett was one of those faithful members of the Club who, without ever achieving any ascents that get into print, climbed regularly and steadily for many years and always, even after he ceased active mountaineering, remained deeply interested both in mountaineering and in the activities of the Club.
He first climbed in the Alps in 1898 and except for the year 1902 he climbed annually up to and including the season of 1908. Thereafter, although he frequently visited the Alps and walked a great deal, like so many mountaineers of his day, he felt that serious climbing was incompatible with family responsibilities. He was particularly fond of the Valais, especially the Arolla district but his knowledge of the Alps was wide and general. Much of his climbing was done guideless which was by no means a common practice amongst English climbers of the day and, as we well know, was sometimes frowned upon by the Club.
Gillett was a solicitor and for a good many years was the senior partner in a well-known firm. He was a member of the Council of the Law Society for many years and was President in 1948-49 during which year he received the honour of knighthood.
Both on the mountains and at home he was a charming, humorous and kindly companion as well as a man of great ability. He had the gift of bringing to life any activity in which he was concerned, largely on account of his own abounding vitality and interest in things and people. He was a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Surrey and actively interested in many charitable and other activities. He is survived by his widow and a large family.
Gillett was never a conspicuous member of the Club: indeed he was one of those who dislike and successfully avoid the limelight, but he will be missed by a considerable circle of friends which includes not only his own climbing contemporaries but many younger members in whom he was always interested and to whom he was always kind and encouraging.
E. S. Herbert
Quelle: Alpine Journal Vol. 64. Nr. 298, 1959, Seite 283-284


Geboren am:
1879
Gestorben am:
18.02.1959