ST GEORGE, JOHN CHAPMAN (1844-69) was a son of Mrs Mary George (who with her husband kept a school in Wellington 1844-46). On his father's death the family lived in Nelson, where he completed his education. His mother having married Alfred Domett (1856), the family moved to Wellington. St George took up land in Hawke's Bay.

On the outbreak of the Waikato war he joined the Hawke's Bay squadron of the Colonial Defence Force. (Sub-inspector, 11 Jul 1863). He was one of the few European officers engaged at Te Kopane (Jan 1866) and continued in service through the war. On 27 Jan 1868 he was gazetted captain. Early in 1869 he and his brother (F. N. George) took up a run near Taupo, and they were engaged stocking it when Te Kooti ordered the run to be pillaged and the stock killed. St George was stationed at Tapuaeharuru (Taupo), in command of the Arawa contingent. On receiving information of the affair at Opepe (Jun 1869), he set out with his force to cross the lake to reinforce the post at Tokaanu. Delayed by wind, he arrived too late for the fight at Tauranga-Taupo, from which Te Kooti had withdrawn to the southward, driving off the horses of the besieged force. St George displayed great skill and intrepidity in the operations at Ponanga (Sep). At the final engagement at Porere (3 Oct), leading the constabulary and friendlies up the slope to enter the work, he was killed by a bullet in the head. The body was buried on the field, but reinterred in Napier in 1872.

St George's brother, FREDERICK NELSON GEORGE, born about 1842 and educated at Nelson College (1856-58), joined the Forest Rangers. (Captain, Oct 1863.) He was slightly wounded, but distinguished himself at the relief of Pipiriki (Jul 1865) and was promoted brevet-major. He served later in Bay of Plenty. George was a well-known racing owner. He died in England 23 Oct 1914. He married Amelia Emma Sutton (1845-1931) of Otago.

Cowan, ii (P); Gascoyne; Gudgeon; Whitmore; Nelson Coll. O.B. Reg; Ward; Southern Cross, 4 Oct 1869.

Reference: Volume 2, page 138

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