'Indispensable for safe trekking particularly when negotiating sharp incl
ines and fording quick-moving streams. Originally designed by Sir Jeffrey Hillpig-Smyth for British Special Forces stationed at Mandalay in 1941.
A brief sketch of Sir Jeffrey Hillpig-Smyth
ines and fording quick-moving streams. Originally designed by Sir Jeffrey Hillpig-Smyth for British Special Forces stationed at Mandalay in 1941.A brief sketch of Sir Jeffrey Hillpig-Smyth
- Born London, 1910
- As a schoolboy - overweight, few friends, poor student, non-athletic yet polite, called 'Hillpiggy' by the staff.
- Harrow, 1928
- Sent down from Oxford for indecency, 1930
- Unsuccessfully stood for parliament, as an independent from the small constituency of Looting on the Thames, finishing fourth in a field of three, 1934
- Alcoholic, 1935
- Published at his own expense an angry and spirited collection of short essays entitled 'Sticks and Stones', 1936
- Alcoholic again, 1937
- Published a second collection of short essays entitled, Mudpuddles and Other Outrages, 1938
- Joined Military Intelligence & Engineering, the elite I&E group, 1939
- Assigned to British Special Forces, Mandalay, British East India (Burma), 1940
- Recovering from a minor fall, designed the Military Trekking Stick, 1941
- Disappeared while on a morning mini-trek within the Special Forces compound. A search party was organised and diligently combed the 3 acre area for well over an hour, sadly to no avail, 1944
- Officially still missing, September 1992
- Unofficially, over the years there have been periodic sightings of Hillpiggy in the Burmese jungle
- The latest, as recent as the last monsoon, has Hillpiggy on elephant leading a small group of well-disciplined guerrillas near Kuhn Sa's stronghold at Nam King.
Further information is available by writing to:Find the Hillpig Society
9/1 Arrak Road Soi 7
Chiangmai, Thailand
The reward of 25 pound sterling for information confirming Hillpiggy's status remains in effect.'
I have even found a website where you can buy one of the walking sticks (Teak Limey)
9 comments:
Hillpiggy is real and he lives!
Long Live Hillpiggy!!!
C
i am brad harpers widow. Hillpiggy was his creation and he was the author of the bio. love to see that he is still loved and alive!!
Cindy - Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I thought the story and bio were just brilliant...he is definately still loved!!
C x
Cindy, my name is Karen Shostak. My father worked with Brad at the Bombay Company many many years ago. When he still owned and ran the company. Coming accross this blog nearly took my breath away. Brad was a brilliant man and I have very fond memories of him from my childhood. I would love to talk to you somehow.
KAREN HOW CAN I FIND YOU!! I HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT YOUR FATHER, CHARLIE! I may have even spoken to him long long ago on the phone. THEIR TRIPS TO CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMAERICA ETC. . . . IF YOU GET THIS
I am sorry i cut off, I am just completely blown away right now. i want so badly to put my phone number on here but reason tells me not to. i will try to find you on face book. i live in north carolina now. gosh i hope you see this. it was a fluke that i even am on here today. . . . we MUST connect. Love Cindy Harper
If it makes your life easier, and so you don't put personal details on the blog, e-mail me your e-mail addresses and I'll pass them on.
Just thought that might help
C x
I am Madison Tyler and I met Brad and Cindy Harper when they first moved to Chang Mai!! I remember when they had to leave Thailand and come back on a "slow boat in the night" because of visa problems early on!! ;)) They were a charming couple and I will miss Brad big time. He was a honey of a guy!! Cindy, I just found out today that Brad had passed away. If you want to get in touch with me, I'm in Piedmont, Calif. My email: madityler@yahoo.com
I was planning a trip to Chiangmai in November. It will be somber knowing Brad has passed on and you guys are not there anymore!!
RIP dear Brad
All the best with all you do, Cindy
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