Bert & Eva Chesswas

I have a number of images from generations past that I plan to upload to this site at some stage. In welcoming Dr. Roger Chesswas to the site, though, I think it would be fitting to share a sketch drawn by my mother, which I believe is of Roger's father John and grandparents Bert and Eva, drawn from a photo that dates back about 87 years.



Herbert (Bert) Chesswas was born on 23 July 1895 to John & Emily Chesswas in Wanganui, and grew up in Ngamatapouri, Waitotara Valley, where the family set to work breaking in the land. While serving in World War I he met and married his wife Eva, an English woman. They married in 1918, and Bert eventually emigrated to live in England where he worked as a plasterer. After his wife's death in 1975 he returned to spend his final years in his homeland; Waitotara, New Zealand.


BACK: Barry Chesswas, John Chesswas, Stan Chesswas, Chris McKinnon, David Chesswas, Barbara Chesswas, Sandy Chesswas, Rob Ross, Thelma Chesswas
MIDDLE: Don McKinnon, Jim Chesswas, Joy (nee Chesswas) & David Hillary, John & Ruth Hillary, Mona Chesswas, Jean Ross (nee Chesswas)
FRONT: Helen McKinnon (nee Chesswas), Shirley Chesswas, Jane Chesswas, Penny Chesswas, Lyndee Chesswas, Helen Chesswas, BERT CHESSWAS

Bert outlived all of his brothers, and was the only one of John & Emily's children to see the Chesswas Family Reunion of 1979. He is pictured here with his two sisters-in-law; Mrs Mona Chesswas (wife of Walter Snr.) & Mrs Lily Chesswas (wife of Frank).