![]() He was sent back to England and left for New Zealand in August, 1942. Out there he survived the third of his crash landings and had a spell in hospital, where the brilliant surgery of New Zealand doctors on his injured leg made it possible for him to climb again. In April 1941 he had brief leave at Loch Lomand in the Western Highlands (climbing Ben Nevis in a snowstorm), before flying to the Middle East where he served for a year. In June, 1940, Rod left for England to join the R.A.F., and as a bomber pilot in "75" Squadron saw service in Europe - over Berlin and as far as Italy. In October, with Wyn and others, he climbed Alma in the Two Thumbs Range - the following month was in the R.N.Z.A.F. King, he climbed D'Archiac from the Godley. Rod had better luck at Easter when with John Clegg and L. Hervey, but he soon became devoted to mountaineering and took part in the vigorous mountain exploration being carried out by young Canterbury climbers.Ĭhristmas, 1938, again saw Rod, Wyn Barnett and George Doig in the Tasman with hopes for Mount Tasman, but there were repeated snowfalls, and a reconnaissance of Syme Ridge and an ascent of Pioneer Pass their only climbing achievements. Rod's first trips to the hills were deerstalking expeditions made with his schoolfellow C.R. He was born in Opotiki, but was descended from Canterbury pioneers and spent practically all his youth in Christchurch where he was educated at Christ College. "Rod Hewitt died in Timaru Hospital on February 1, 1964. NZ BDM Birth,#646,1913.son of Leonard & Frances Anne Hewitt, nee, Webb. ![]()
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