NameWilliam Barrie Hutton
Birth1 Dec 1894, Beaconsfield, South Canterbury, New Zealand
Death29 Sep 1965, 24 Marsden Road, Greymouth, Westland, New Zealand
Burial1965, Greymouth, Westland, New Zealand, Karoro Cemetery
OccupationSecondary School Teacher
Flags!MarySide, #Andr-NZ, Linked, [FamLabel], [Gen09], [GenYes]
Spouses
Birth10 Nov 1905, Waimate, South Canterbury, New Zealand
Death6 Dec 1988, Grey Hospital at 9.15am, Greymouth, Westland, New Zealand
BurialDec 1988, Greymouth, Westland, New Zealand, Karoro Cemetery (ashes)
OccupationClerk, then Teacher (1920s)
FatherCharles Herbert Guthrie (1877-1913)
MotherJessie Helena Hepburn (1875-1966)
Marriage21 Aug 1928, Dunedin, New Zealand, 38 Lynwood Avenue, Dunottar
Notes for William Barrie Hutton
Bill was brought up at Otipua (Beaconsfield) near Timaru.
He received his primary and secondary education at Pareora West School (now Beaconsfield) (4 Nov 1901 - 18 Jan 1907), Adair School (1907) and Timaru Boys' High School (1908-13) where he was a Prefect and member of the 1st XV Rugby, 1st XI Cricket and Athletics teams. A top athlete, Bill was Senior Champion in 1911-12. In 1913, at a school assembly prior to the annual rugby match against Waitaki BHS, which Timaru had not won for many years, he sang the song "Drake's Drum." TBHS won a famous victory and the song has been a school tradition ever since.

Further education at Canterbury University College and Teachers College (1914-16) was interrupted by 3 years service in WW I. Although he made several attempts, Bill never completed a degree, but held the qualification B Certificate.

Bill began his war service in 1916 at Trentham Military Camp near Wellington and became Regimental Sergeant Major. Originally in the Canterbury Regiment, he transferred to the NZ Rifle Brigade, was promoted to Second Lieutenant and served on the Western Front at Passchendale in 1917. An injury resulted in hospitalization in England and he was invalided home in 1918.

He enlisted again in World War II (at age 48) but only saw brief service in New Zealand before being manpowered back into teaching to help meet a chronic shortage of staff. He was Second-in-Command of the National Reserve in Greymouth and held the rank of Captain.

Bill completed his interrupted teacher training (1919-21) and taught at Wharenui School in Christchurch. From 1920-21 he was a boarder at the newly established Rolleston House, Canterbury University College. In 1923 he was appointed to Greymouth High School and stayed there teaching Geography, History & Social Studies for 42 years until retirement in 1965. An excellent teacher, rugby coach and trainer of soldiers, Bill is respectfully remembered by many former pupils and colleagues to this day.

Outside his huge commitment to teaching he was interested in music (he had a fine baritone voice), reading, visiting family and meeting people.

Bill resided in Beaconsfield, South Canterbury (1894-1913), Christchurch (1914-22, including war service years) and Greymouth (1923-65). Prior to August 1928, Bill lived at 53 Alexander St, Greymouth (1928 Westland Electoral Roll) but, thereafter, resided for most of the rest of his life at 24 Marsden Road, Greymouth. Cause of death: Motor Neurone Disease.
Last Modified 2 Dec 2009Created 6 Sep 2014 using Reunion for Macintosh