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George REDPATH

George REDPATH

Male 1892 - 1951  (58 years)    Has 41 ancestors but no descendants in this family tree.

Personal Information    |    Media    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name George REDPATH 
    Birth 14 Nov 1892  Tuapeka West, Otago, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] 
    Gender Male 
    Awarded 1904  [1] 
    Junior National Scholarship (free high school), Rakauroa, Gisborne, New Zealand 
    Education From 13 Feb 1905 to 19 Dec 1908  [6] 
    Gisborne Central School, Gisborne, New Zealand 
    Awarded 1906  [1] 
    Senior National Scholarship (free senior high school) 
    Awarded 1910  [1] 
    Dux (first), Gisborne High School, Gisborne, Gisborne, New Zealand 
    Awarded 17 Jan 1910  [7] 
    Senior National Scholarship, University of New Zealand, with the 9th highest score. 
    Military Service From 1914 to 1918  [8] 
    Captain Medical Corps, NZ Army 
    Degree 1915  [9] 
    M.B., CH.B., Otago University, Dunedin 
    Graduation 1915  Otago University, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location  [10] 
    Occupation From 1915 to 1928  [11] 
    Medical practioner 
    Death 22 Feb 1951  Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 5, 12, 13] 
    Burial 26 Feb 1951  Karori, Wellington, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location  [14, 15] 
    Probate 07 May 1951  Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location  [11] 
    Person ID I56  NZ Genealogy Project | REDPATH Descendant, WALKER Descendant
    Last Modified 23 Mar 2023 

    Father George REDPATH,   b. 04 Sep 1860, Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 28 Feb 1914, Rakauroa, Gisborne, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 53 years) 
    Mother Charlotte WALKER,   b. 01 Jun 1860, Essendon, Victoria, Australia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 11 Aug 1921, Gisborne, Gisborne, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 61 years) 
    Marriage 28 Jan 1886  Milton, Otago, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 16, 17] 
    Residence 1890  Tuapeka West, Otago, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location  [18] 
    Residence From 1905 to 1914  Rakauroa, Gisborne, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location  [19] 
    Family ID F14  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Mary Isabella MORTLEMAN [Minnie],   b. 06 Apr 1894, Manaia, Taranaki, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 21 Sep 1920, Waitangi, Chatham Islands, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 26 years) 
    Marriage 09 Oct 1918  Waerengaahika, Gisborne, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 20, 21] 
    Photos
    George and Bell Redpath    		George and Bell Redpath
    Family ID F28  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 31 Dec 2024 

    Family 2 Isabella Manson MacDONALD [Bel],   b. 1877   d. 06 Mar 1950, Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 73 years) 
    Marriage 15 Feb 1923  New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 22, 23] 
    Family ID F29  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 31 Dec 2024 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 14 Nov 1892 - Tuapeka West, Otago, New Zealand Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsGraduation - 1915 - Otago University, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 09 Oct 1918 - Waerengaahika, Gisborne, New Zealand Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 15 Feb 1923 - New Zealand Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 22 Feb 1951 - Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - 26 Feb 1951 - Karori, Wellington, New Zealand Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsProbate - 07 May 1951 - Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Photos
    George REDPATH
    Gisborne High School Rugby First Fifteen 1909.

    Documents
    Birth registration 1881    		Birth registration 1881
    Transcription of a 1915 War Diary of George Redpath    		Transcription of a 1915 War Diary of George Redpath
    Diary for September 1915, documenting the transport from UK to France, action 25-28 Sept at Loos when poisoned by chlorine gas, and convalesce in France and England.
    Transcription of a 1917 War Diary of George Redpath    		Transcription of a 1917 War Diary of George Redpath
    George Redpath describes a bombing in London followed by his journey through France and Italy to the Mediterranean in 1917. The document was transcribed from the diary. The diary also contained images of some locations mentioned.

    Headstones
    Headstone - George Redpath    		Headstone - George Redpath
    Great War Veteran 3/2950 Capt G Redpath, Croix de Cuerre, Medical Corps died 22-2-1951 aged 58.
    Plot: Section SOLDIERS, Plot number 19 W/3

    Histories
    		Newspaper Reports about Dr George Redpath (1892-1951)
    Articles from newspapers and the New Zealand Police Gazette about Dr George REDPATH (1892-1951).

    Album Photos
    Dr George Redpath in Christchurch
    Redpath Family at Waimarie, Rakauroa in 1904.
    George Redpath b 1892
    George and Charlotte Redpath, 1914

    Albums
    Redpath, George and Charlotte     		Redpath, George and Charlotte (22)
    Photos of the family of George Redpath (1860-1914) and Charlotte Walker (1860-1921).

  • Notes 

    • BIOGRAPHY

      George Redpath was born in 1892 in Otago, New Zealand, the fifth child of George and Charlotte Redpath. In 1893 his parents and family moved to Gisborne, and eventually to a farm at Rakauroa. George attended primary school at Whakarau and Rakauroa.

      In 1905 George won a Junior National Scholarship in the Education Department's examinations which entitled him to free schooling and a boarding grant at high school. He attended high school in Gisborne. While at high school George played rugby in the first fifteen as a forward in 1908 and 1909. The team played Napier High School 2nd XV in 1908 and Napier High School 1st XV in 1909. A photo of the 1909 team is shown above. In 1908 he won a Senior National Scholarship which also paid his high school and boarding fees, and he was able to complete his secondary schooling. George was the first dux of the Gisborne High School in 1909 and he had the ninth highest mark in the University examinations for Senior National Scholarship that year. He qualified for entry into Medical School at Otago University and began his studies there in 1910.

      The day after New Zealand declared war on 4 August 1914, George, together with 20 other final year medical students, volunteered to join the Expeditionary Force as medical officers. The students sat their exams, were passed, commissioned, and joined the Medical Corps (UK Army). They were not registered medical practitioners in New Zealand, probably because obstetrics and gynaecology training was incomplete. George completed his medical training while overseas.

      George left New Zealand in 1915 and was soon on active service with the Army Medical Corps, becoming a Captain in July 1916. As noted in the newspaper articles he was was wounded three times, was blown up twice, was gassed, and had malaria several times. Following two years with the Imperial Forces in the Royal Army Medical Corps (8 July 1915 to 8 July 1917), George was honourably discharged at his own request in London to join the New Zealand forces. He was posted to Egypt with the NZ Medical Corp but suffered from alcoholism. George was returned to New Zealand on account of alcoholism at the end of January 1918 and was discharged from the army in April 1918.

      George's military file (available on Archway) indicates that initially George was so badly affected by alcoholism that it was considered he was unable to practice medicine. Numerous attempts were made to get the Army to provide treatment but this was refused once George eventually agreed to have treatment, because his condition was considered to not be a result of service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. The files made no mention of his service with the Imperial forces. The Archway file contains letters from relatives pleading for the Government to provide treatment for George.

      George applied to have his name placed on the New Zealand Medical Register on 24 June 1918. Shortly after, in October 1918, George married Mary Mortleman from Matawai, and the couple lived at Rakauroa. During the Flu Epidemic of 1918 George worked day and night doctoring the flu victims in the Rakauroa, Matawai and Motu districts. Only one of his patients died. His recommendation to avoid the flu was a mixture made with condy's crystals and salt be gargled and sniffed up the nose at least once a day. The treatment kept the flu away.

      In April 1919 George and Mary moved to the Chatham Islands, where George was a medical practitioner, but also was appointed sheriff, Justice of the Peace, and a member of the Chatham Islands Licensing Committee. In 1920 Mary died in childbirth while George was away attending to another patient. Mary's family never forgave George for not being present for the birth.

      From 1921 George's alcoholism resulted in a number of court appearances and a police record. Newspaper articles from 1921 to 1924 reported his court appearances, George twice being convicted of false pretences and prohibited from drinking alcohol. In 1921 he was sent for treatment at Rotoroa Island, with his relations having to provide payment. Rotoroa Island, off Waiheke Island's east coast, was off-limits to the public for over a century as New Zealand's first and longest running alcohol and drug addiction treatment centre.

      In 1923 George Redpath married Isabella MacDonald, a nurse who had served overseas during the war with Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps. Isabella was the Matron at Whitianga Hospital where George was Medical Superintendent. George was Resident Medical Officer at Maungaturoto, Northland, in January 1925. George also practiced medicine in Opotiki and in Henderson, Auckland, but because of alcoholism, was in court from time to time. George became an embarrassment for his family due to the need to get him out of trouble and support him during treatment for alcoholism.

      According to electoral rolls, George and Isabella lived in Wellington from 1938 and George did not practice medicine. Isabella died in 1950 and George in 1951, both being buried in Karori Cemetery, Wellington.

  • Sources 
    1. [S15] Charlotte Cameron, Gisborne, NZ, Redpath Family Memories 1984, (Gisborne, 31 Dec 1984).

    2. [S2] New Zealand Registrar-General's Office, NZ Register of Births - Indexes.
      George Redpapth 1892 #4119

    3. [S695] David Bryant, NZSG Kiwi Index - School Records, (New Zealand Society of Genealogists Inc.).

    4. [S642] NZ BDM - Historical Records - DATES, (Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, New Zealand).

    5. [S51] Archives New Zealand.

    6. [S447] NZSG Index Version 5, (New Zealand Society of Genealogists Inc., Auckland 2008).

    7. [S162] Papers Past - The Evening Post (Wellington), (Papers Past - National Library of New Zealand), none.
      Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 14, 18 January 1910, Page 4. EXAMINATIONS. UNIVERSITY AND OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS. LIST OF RESULTS. [BY TELEGRAPH - PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, 17th January. The Recess Committee of the Senate of the University of New Zealand met to-day to consider reports of examiners for the junior university, senior national, and Taranaki scholarships, matriculation, medical, and engineering prelinainary, and solicitors' general knowledge. .The following are the results: SENIOR NATIONAL SCHOLARS. 9 - George Redpath, High School, Gisborne 3036. [Note - There were 10 JUNIOR UNIVERSITY SCHOLARS and 8 SENIOR NATIONAL SCHOLARS with higher examination scores]

    8. [S47] Early Wellington Settlers - Karori Cemetery Records, (New Zealand Society of Genealogists 2007).

    9. [S46] UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO - LIST OF GRADUATES FOR THE PERIOD 1870 - 1919, (University of Otago 1920).

    10. [S46] UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO - LIST OF GRADUATES FOR THE PERIOD 1870 - 1919, (University of Otago 1920).
      REDPATH, George - Graduated M.B.,CH.B. in 1915 (page 29)

    11. [S39] David Bryant, NZSG Index - Probate records, (New Zealand Society of Genealogists Inc.).

    12. [S10] New Zealand Registrar-General's Office, NZ Register of Deaths - Indexes.
      George Redpath 1951 #705

    13. [S1982] Archives New Zealand Online - Probate File, (Archives New Zealand, https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz).

    14. [S47] Early Wellington Settlers - Karori Cemetery Records, (New Zealand Society of Genealogists 2007).
      Area 11, Block B, Row 38, plot 23. Great War Veteran 3/2950 Capt G Redpath, Croix de Guerre, Medical Corps, d 22 Feb 1951 NZEF a 58

    15. [S436] Wellington City Council, Wellington City Council Cemeteries Database, (Wellington City Council, 101 Wakefield Street, Wellington, New Zealand).
      Last Name: REDPATH; First Name: GEORGE; Age: 58 Years; Occupation: Retired; Service Date: 26-02-1951; Service Provided: Burial; Cemetery: Karori; Section: SOLDIERS; Plot Number: 19 W/3; Record Number: 90822

    16. [S86] New Zealand Registrar-General's Office, NZ Register of Marrages - Indexes.
      George REDPATH and Charlotte WALKER 1886 #819

    17. [S90] Papers Past - Bruce Herald, (Papers Past - National Library of New Zealand), none.
      2 Feb 1886. Marriage. Redpath - Walker. On 28 January, at the residence of the bride's father, Milton, by Rev. J Allen, George Redpath, son of Mr Redpath, farmer, Mount Stuart, to Charlotte, eldest daughter of Mr A. Walker, Milton.

    18. [S390] H. Wise & Co. (N.Z.), Ltd., Dunedin, Wise's New Zealand Post Office Directory 1890, (Archive CD Books Australia Pty Ltd. 2007), none.

    19. [S98] H. Wise & Co. (N.Z.), Ltd., Dunedin, Wise's New Zealand Post Office Directory 1905, (Archive CD Books Australia Pty Ltd. 2007), none.

    20. [S86] New Zealand Registrar-General's Office, NZ Register of Marrages - Indexes.
      George Redpath and Mary Isabella Mortleman 1918 #5601

    21. [S903] ARCHWAY - Military Personnel Files, (Archives New Zealand 2004), none.

    22. [S16] Pat Redpath, Wairata, Opotiki, NZ, Family Tree of George Redpath and Charlotte Walker, (Unpublished, Updated 2001).

    23. [S86] New Zealand Registrar-General's Office, NZ Register of Marrages - Indexes.
      George REDPATH and Isabella Manson McDONALD #1571 1923


 

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