George Dewar and Waipori School Students

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DescriptionGeorge Edward Dewar taught at Waipori School during 1920 and 1921. He was born in Christchurch in the early 1890s, but grew up in the Catlins with his parents. Scottish born Elizabeth nee Douglas and Thomas Gladine Dewar had leased a small farm there and George was a pupil of Chaslands School.

Upon leaving school, George took up correspondence courses while working in sawmills and on the railway.

During World War One George served as a signals officer and repaired telephone lines under fire until he was wounded and interned in a German hospital and prison camp. One of the few New Zealand soldiers who spent WW1 as a prisoner of war.

At the end of the war, George returned to Otago and trained as a teacher. He taught at sole-charge schools. While teaching at Waipori, George boarded at Jack Gare's house, and earned his teacher's certificate by correspondence. George left Waipori to teach at the Nevis School.

On 11 May, 1932 George married Matilda McGimpsey, and they had three sons.

In 1937, George left teaching to take up a small farm at Clinton. He then moved to Waimate where he worked rabbiting and as a farm labourer.

George wrote prolifically. His best-known was published in 1953. 'Chaslands' is about pioneering and goldmining in the area where he grew up. The book is based on real life experiences, however the names have been altered. The Owaka Museum has reprints of this book available in their store. PhotographerUnknown DateC.1920RightsThis item is out of copyright. ContributorWaipori Goldfields Charitable Trust

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SubjectsPeople and FamiliesGoldminingWorld War IPlaceWaipori GoldfieldsClintonChaslands

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George Dewar and Waipori School Students

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George Dewar and Waipori School Students