Dora H. de Beer

Miss Dora H. de Beer
Born	1891
Died	1982
Residence	Dunedin, NZ; c/o Michael’s, Hallenstein & Co, 17-18 Basinghall Street, EC2 [A63] c/o Messrs Hallenstein Bros Ltd., Dowling Street, Dunedin [1924] London Street, Dunedin [1926] 11 Sussex Place, Regent's Park NW1 [census]
Occupation	museum work
Society Membership membership ordinary fellow elected_AI 1922.06.27 clubs Ladies Alpine Club societies Polynesian Society Royal Geographical Society

Notes

House Notes

proposed by F.C. Shrubsall, seconded by E.N. Fallaize 27 June 1922

Notes From Elsewhere

b. 8 Sept. 1891. Hon. Keeper of the West Pacific Collections, University Museum, Dunedin
Many of her friends would like to write a note of appreciation to Dora de Beer who died in January 1982 aged 90, and who was one of the most remarkable and colourful personalities to grace the Ladies' Alpine Club. As a climber and explorer her record in her earlier years was distinguished enough. To herself she was an unprivileged private individual, while to all who knew her she was a true professional in all she did, as her book—`Yunnan, 1938 an account of a journey in S.W. China' bears fruit.
Her philosophy was a masterpiece of understatement, firstly `Aeroplanes and motorcars undoubtedly save time, but one learns far more about a country on foot or on horseback and what a mule caravan lacks in comfort it makes up in interest', and again `our mule took forty two days and crossed some of the greatest rivers in Asia, the Irawaddy, the Salween, the MeKong and the Yangtze, - we did nothing remarkable'.
But it was in her warmth and capable thoughtfulness that her strength lay, and how she could stop anywhere and brew up a billy.
She climbed in both Europe and New Zealand, her home until 1931. She knew Mount Cook in the old days, bivouacking under Douglas Rock on the west side of Copland pass, now replaced by a hut of the same name.
Her widely varied Alpine climbs included traverses of Mont Blanc by the Peuterey ridge and Glacier du Dome in 1935 and the Brenva and Mont Maudit traverse the following year.
We first met in Rome where Dora joined the Italian Alpine Club and climbed in the Abruzzi and the Dolomites, but she always preferred the Alps.
Dora became President of the Ladies' Alpine Club and to this appointment she brought her usual meticulous attention and wisdom, and guided the club in these formative years.
She will be missed by her many friends and comrades, not least of the Ladies' Alpine Club, who will always remember her unfailing kindness, hospitality and friendship. Truly a mountaineer, mens sana in corpore sano, we will all miss her.
Una Cameron

Publications

External Publications

Yunnan

Related Material Details

RAI Material

census