POSTSCRIPT TO PAPERBACK
EDITION

When this book was first published in April 19961 read from it at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh and was afterwards fortunate enough to meet Archibald McIndoe’s sister, Elizabeth Mason. She gave me a letter that Richard Hillary’s mother had written to McIndoe’s mother. When I had read it, I thought of trying to incorporate a little of it into the narrative, but in the end decided it was better given complete, as an afterword; for every puer aeternus after all, a mother must stand and watch.

26 Rutland Court                             April 24 1943
Rutland Gate
Knightsbridge SW7
London

Dear Mrs McIndoe

Thank you so much for your letter to me about my son Richard and for your loving sympathy.

He insisted on returning to the active list – knowing what it meant, he still insisted. I do not think I have ever known such courage, courage of mind and soul and an almost super-human bravery. He had so much to live for and yet he gave it all away with both hands – a truly great and gallant man.

He told me he would never know any peace within himself if he did not try to return, so I watched his return with an aching heart and some sadness, but this he would sweep away with his gay laugh, telling me all would be well…

Death held no terror for him; we had so often discussed this. I therefore know he met ‘The Last Enemy’ as gallantly as the first and as undefeated in spirit. He was to me the most amazing companion, so gay, gallant and witty. I am so humbly grateful for being allowed his companionship for 23 glorious years and know that my life has been tremendously enriched.

Richard had a great understanding of and liking for your son Archie, for it was thus he always spoke of him. I am busy with voluntary war work and am so glad to have this to do. Richard was always so amusedly proud that I could work – Again thank you from the bottom of my heart for your understanding sympathy.

With all kind thoughts always

Yours sincerely

Edwyna M. Hillary

The work pioneered by Gillies and McIndoe continues at the Blond McIndoe Centre, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grin-stead, Sussex RH19 3DZ. The hospital treats people suffering from accidents or from disfiguring birth defects and is grateful for donations.

S.F.

London, February 1997.

1. Christopher Wood, c. 1920

2. Richard Hillary, 1937

3. Jeremy Wolfenden

4. La Foire de Neuilly (1923)

5. Self Portrait, Paris (1927)

6. Dieppe (1929)

7. Building the Boat, Tréboul (1930)

8. Little House by Night (1930)

9. The Yellow Man (1930]

10. Sleeping Fisherman, Ploaré (1930)

11. Zebra and Parachute (1930)

12. Christopher Wood on a Cornish beach, 1928

13. Frosca Munster, 1925

14. 54 Operational Training Unit, RAF Charter Hall, December 1942. Richard Hillary fourth from left, and inset.

15. Loch Lee, 1940: the dinghy from the crashed Heinkel. Under fire from Hugh Stapleton.

16. Eric Kennington’s copy of his original portrait of Hillary, commissioned after Richard’s death by his father.

17. Funeral of Guy Burgess, Moscow, September 1963. Left to right: John Miller, George Hanna, Jeremy Wolfenden, Nigel Burgess and Donald Maclean.

18. Jeremy Wolfenden: a summer’s day at Magdalen College.

19. The little-known role of the Bartender in the Russian Course production of Measure for Measure. 1953.

20. The Times, Thursday 5 September, 1957.

21. Lord Wolfenden at his desk.