Edward Norton

Edward Norton was a member of the 1922 and 1924 Everest expeditions. He was educated at Charterhouse school before going to the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, from where he was gazetted into the Royal Artillery in 1902. Norton saw service in France as brigade major during World War I, and was also staff officer to the Artillery Commander of the Canadian Army Corps. Norton was awarded the Military Cross (MC) in 1914, Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1918, and was three times mentioned in dispatches.

During his first Everest attempt in 1922 Norton, along with George Mallory and Howard Somervell, reached 26,985 feet (8,225m), just 2,044 feet (623m) from the summit. Two years later, Norton climbed to 28,200 feet (8,595m), and this time got within 909 feet (277m) of the summit. Norton was awarded the Royal Geographical Society Founder’s Medal in 1926, and in 1927 was promoted to colonel, Royal Engineers. Between 1929-32 he was an instructor at the staff college in Quetta, which was then part of British India. He returned to England and was appointed commander Royal Artillery at Aldershot and from 1934-38 he was brigadier General Staff, Aldershot Command. In 1937 he was appointed an Aide-de-camp to King George VI.

Having been made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 1939, Norton was appointed acting governor of Hong Kong in 1940-41. He went on the Army retirement list in 1942, but returned to England and took command of the North Hampshire Group of the Home Guard. Between 1947-51 he was colonel commandant of the Royal Horse Artillery.