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George E. (Edward) Dewar (8 June 1895 – 8 December 1969) was a New Zealand poet, writer, teacher, farmer, worker and First World War soldier. Best remembered for his 1953 autobiographical book ''Chaslands''〔''Waimate Daily Advertiser'', 11 December 1969〕 about the early pioneering days there, he also wrote poetry on sport and his experiences as a First World War soldier and contributed widely to newspapers. == Life == Dewar was born in Christchurch on 8 June 1895. He was the son of Thomas Gladine Dewar, a state farmer and labourer, and Elizabeth Dewar; both were natives of Scotland. Early in his life, he moved to Chaslands in the Owaka district of the South Island, where he grew up. An early mention of George appears in the ''Otago Witness'' newspaper delivering an epilogue at the conclusion of a school concert.〔''Otago Witness'', 21 October 1903〕 Chaslands was a small town with around 150 people in the 1900s. There was milling and a cheese factory. The local school opened in 1895 with two teachers. Living conditions were poor and difficult for the sick or injured. David McGill notes these facts in his ''Ghost Towns of New Zealand'' (1980) and notes further: ‘The isolated region grew intrepid men like George Dewar’s brother, Tom, who crossed the Andes on foot.’〔David McGill, ''Ghost Towns of New Zealand'' (Wellington: A.H. & A.W. Reed, 1980), p. 192〕 At Chaslands, Dewar worked at various jobs, including bush work; sawmill work; and railway line construction.〔''Clutha Leader'', 16 February 1970〕 His military call up was in 1916 while he was working on a farm in Tuatapere (''New Zealand Gazette'', 23 November 1916, No. 132, p. 3682). During the First World War, he served overseas in the NZEF along with his brother David. David was killed in France on 1 October 1918.〔''World War I Guide'', Hocken Collections, Hocken Library, University of Otago〕 George's embarkation unit was 23rd Reinforcements Otago Infantry Regiment, D Company. He served with C Company, 3rd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade. Wounded in action, Dewar spent time interned in a German Prisoner of War camp.〔Auckland War Memorial Museum, Cenotaph database〕 Repatriated after the Armistice, Dewar returned to the South Island to take further education through correspondence in Dunedin and Alexandra towards his Teacher's Certificate, following which he worked as a sole charge teacher and a head teacher at primary schools including Lower Harbour School (Deborah Bay, Otago), Hamama School, (Nelson), Owaka Valley School (South Otago), and Ratanui School (Otago) from 1921–1936.〔''Who's Who in New Zealand'', 1964〕 Dewar married Matilda Dewar (née McGimpsey) on 11 May 1932 and the couple had three sons: Robert Dewar, David Dewar and Allan Dewar. In 1937, he took up small farming at Clinton before moving to Waimate in 1943. Dewar worked as a rabbiter and did farm work in the Waimate district. He was known as a keen Toc H worker and studied nature.〔''Waimate Daily Advertiser'', 11 December 1969〕 During World War II, Dewar was appointed Lieutenant, Home Guard (''New Zealand Gazette'', 18 June 1942, No. 60, p. 1633). Dewar was interested in sports like cricket and rugby and was an expert on bird-life. As a young man, Dewar played rugby for the Chaslands football team.〔McGill, p. 192〕 He was also interested in the formation of the Catlins Historical Society and wrote giving recollections of visits to Cathedral Caves and Waipati Beach.〔''Clutha Leader'', 16 February 1970〕 Dewar died in Waimate where he spent his retirement years on 8 December 1969. He was 78 years old; however, library catalogues give his birth date as 1895. A number of obituaries for Dewar appeared after his death in the ''Clutha Leader'', ''Waimate Daily Advertiser'', Timaru Herald and Christchurch Star''. These obituaries give his birth date as 1891. The ''NZ Biographies Index'' at the National Library of New Zealand also notes him. ''Who's Who in New Zealand'' (1964) gives his birth date as 8 June 1895. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「George E. Dewar」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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