Fothergill Claud Francis

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Biografie:
Claud Francis Fothergill
There are plenty of members with long climbing records, but possibly few of our members over here have had Dr. Fothergill's knowledge of the Swiss life in the valleys. He hailed from a family of thirteen which knew Switzerland well Many returning from a climb must have passed the stone in the Roseg valley, behind Pontresina, erected in memory ·of his father, with John III. 16 written in the four Swiss languages. He and his brother at one period used to live in Switzerland and return each year to St. Lawrence College, Ramsgate, where·he was educated before going to Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and Guy's Hospital.
His love for the mountains was infectious, and he had the art of imparting his joy of climbing to others. Both his twin sons became members of the Club. At the age of eleven, with the guide Samuel Ogi of Kandersteg, he took them to the top of the Balmhorn. It would be true to say that many who had never intended to climb were encouraged by him to have a try. He vas a great adept at spotting the possible would-be-climbers, ·and knew the secret of teaching them to climb within their own limits. His leadership inspired the novice with confidence, and he took a delight in pointing out the wrong and the right way of doing things on the mountain. His lectures on climbing at many of our leading public schools were informative and full of amusing anecdotes, and he must have brought the mountains to thousands of people. Although in in any ways a shy man, except when in command, he was a gifted speaker, and had little difficulty in gripping his audience, for he had a strong personality and a most arresting way with him quiet but convincing. He never used notes. He knew how to make his subject live and his diction was remarkable. Often he was invited to show his coloured slides on Palestine, from the devotional standpoint, to crowded congregations in Parish Churches up and down the country.
As an author, numbers have said that they find his book, A Doctor in Many Countries, most readable. On several occasions he has helped the Club by reviewing books for the ALPINE Journal. From 1950-1952 he was a Vice-President of the Association of British Members of the Swiss Alpine Club.
He had a great flair for organisation and took large parties of adults and public schoolboys out to Switzerland for winter sports. After much perseverance, he at last succeeded in persuading Herr Seiler to open Zermatt for winter sports. The same applies to the neighbouring valley of Saas Fee. In those days sleigh and mule were the only methods of transport. He insisted on the building of ice rinks large enough for ice-hockey, and for the first time the villagers were taught the game.
Dr. Fothergill travelled widely, and loved to seek places off the beaten track. His travels took him to Petra, Morocco, Yugoslavia, Corsica, Spain, and Scandinavia.
Perhaps, in a marked degree, the Doctor knew how to put to the ·best use what to so many of the climbing fraternity can be such a damper. He utilised the rainy day for the pursuit of his hobby the study of Alpine peasant life. He had a most winsome way about him. As he walked through an Alpine village he would say ' Two dear old sisters live there ; let's go and look them up,' or ' that family has a son at Rome as a member of the Papal Guard.' He would teach the inhabitants to open their windows (to keep down the cost of heating they are often closed on a really fine day). To many a family he was adviser and friend, and learnt as few do how the peasants welcome a stranger, but alas, are most reluctant in certain cases to permit members of the next chalet to cross their threshold. He was most observant, and took a real delight in noting how the people lived. He was also keen on antiques and specialised in the collecting of pewter. When crossing the Great St. Bernard in June, I 922, the then head monk told him that travellers were stealing the pewter plates from which the guests until quite recently had eaten: Fothergill lost no time in suggesting that the monks should sell some of the pewter not required for the museum of the famous monastery, and thus he acquired a magnificent duplicate Holy Communion set.
He was an able and artistic photographer, and found unbounded pleasure in wild flowers and their photography. His collection of ' close-ups' and then of the same flowers ' en masse ' in their natural habitat is quite unique. On several occasions he has shown his photos at the Club's photographic display.
Above all,' C.F.F.,' as he was known by his friends of long-standing, was an outspoken Christian. His matter-of-fact way of chatting with others on the deep things of life, made him most approachable. Through his witness with the Camps and Tours Union, which he founded and carried on as a labour of love, numbers of men and women of his circle of life have learnt to distinguish between being merely religious or Christian. He was a staunch Evangelical Churchman, and unflinchingly believed and taught the Bible. Never would he permit the Church to take the place of Christ in his life. He was a man of set purpose and nothing would thwart him. When he saw a thing was right he did it, even if for him it meant financial loss. It should not be forgotten that he was a keen member of his profession. He seldom travelled anywhere without his surgical instruments, and under what curious conditions was he called upon to operate ! It was only his overpowering desire to do the work of an evangelist which caused him always to subordinate his profession to second place. Perhaps few realise how successful he was as a medical man. When in general practice, in the Army, or in Harley Street, he was respected by all. The words unexpectedly appearing in bold letters on the front page of the local Press best express his sterling character : ' Death of local Doctor, Climber, Christian.'
L. G. F.
Quelle: Alpine Journal Vol. 60. Nr. 291, 1955, Seite 400-401