Clan Chiefs
1954 Walter Robson Ayson. 1886 - 1961
1956 Eric Thomas Robert Ayson. 1903 - 1997
1959 William Douglas Ayson. 1880 - 1971
1964 Gilbert Ross Ayson. 1911-1982
1970 Fergus Hall Ayson. 1905 - 1997
1985 Peter Douglas Giffen Ayson. 1924 - 2016
2003 Colin Leonard Marshall. 1935 -2004
2006 Arthur Ayson Neame. 1938 - 2015 (Acting Chief 2004 - 2006)
2013 Hugh Henry Francis. 1940 -
1954. Walter Robson Ayson. 1886-1961, First Chief
Walter was the youngest son of James Fraser Ayson of Albert Downs, Kaihiku, where he was born on 15 November 1886.
He was named after his mother's brother, Walter Robson, whose father, Robert Robson, came out from Scotland in 1851 and farmed at Horseshoe Bush near Lake Waihola.
Walter received his schooling at Kaihiku and Waiwera and afterwards worked on his father's farm until 1914 when he enlisted in the N.Z.Expeditionary Forces for services overseas. He returned to New Zealand in 1919.
In 1920 he drew an unimproved farm section at Otautau, Southland, and by hard work and perserverence, together with a good knowledge of farming, he converted a swampy waste into one of the most productive farms in the district.
In 1922 he married Elva Mary Gill, only daughter of Mr & Mrs H.L.Gill, of Dunedin. They had a family of three daughters and one son, the youngest daughter and son being twins. The eldest daughter, Mary, died in 1944.
Members of the Clan Ayson Society appreciate the work that Walter and Elva did in making it possible for the Ayson Family to meet together at the reunion held in Dunedin in March, 1953. It was their initiative and energy that turned a nebulous idea into a successful gathering from which emerged a new Clan Society.
For many years Walter specialised in pedigree pigs with great success and was a well-known judge in the pig section at agricultural shows. He won many ribbons for his stud pigs. At the 1948 Invercargill Royal Show he won the supreme champion Berkshire boar award.
He and Elva fully participated in the activities and progress of their district over the years. They were members of Federated Farmers, Wallace A and P Association and the Presbyterian Church. Walter was a Director of the Otautau Dairy Company. He gave outstanding service to the Returned Services Association, was a foundation member of the Otautau Sub Association of the Invercargill R.S.A, was elected to its executive in its first year and served continuously until 1943.
For some years he was the R.S.A. representative on the Patriotic Welfare Send-off and Welcome Committees. He held the office of President in 1940 and 1941 and acted as delegate to the Dominion Provincial Council for 12 years and was delegate to the Dominion Annual Conference held in Wellington in 1935.
During his years in office he was Secretary to the R.S.A. Sub-Association for 12 years and instrumental in organising the Western District Conference that defined the boundaries of the District. He was continually associated with the organising of Poppy Day and Anzac Day, was responsible for the selection and furnishing of the club rooms and for establishing a lawn cemetery for ex-servicemen at Otautau. He acted as supervisor of the War Memorial for 12 years.
Walter possessed a good knowledge of War Pension Legislation and was honorary secretary and Welfare officer of the Otautau, Ohai and Nightcaps District Patriotic Welfare Committee.
In recognition of these outstanding services the N .Z. Returned Services Assocation presented him with its highest award, the Certificate of Merit and Gold Star Badge.
Elva was a keen daffodil grower and won many prizes at flower shows in the district. Her son Peter, of Otautau, writes that he "well remembers people coming from far and wide to see her bed of daffodils in full bloom." Both Walter and Elva were foundation members of the Otautau Garden Club, and before Elva moved to Christchurch to live she was made a life member of the club.
At the General Meeting held during the gathering in Dunedin in March, 1954, when the Clan Ayson Society was established, Walter was unanimously elected Chief.
Walter was well known as a good-natured man, and it is said his Scottish determination helped him through many difficult times in his life.
Members of the Clan Ayson Society, especially those who knew Walter and Elva, are indebted to Walter for carrying the load of first Chief. He was a living example to all.
Walter died in 1961 and Elva in 1985. They are buried in the Otautau cemetery.
Acknowledgement.
The Ayson Story. Glenshee to Otago 1853 - 2000.
Published by Clan Ayson of NZ Society
1956. Eric Ayson. 1903 - 1997, Second Chief
Eric Ayson is a great-grandson of pioneer Alexander Ayson. Eric's grandfather was Thomas Ayson, eldest son of Alexander. Eric's father was Alexander Rattray Ayson, eldest son of Thomas.
He was born at Glenham near Wyndham, on 7 August 1903. After leaving school there he went to Reefton on the West Coast to assist his father in developing a coal mine, but after two years he returned to work on his grandfather's property at Glenham.
After getting a good knowledge of farming he took a position on Wyndham Station in 1924 where he remained for 14 years until the station was subdivided into four blocks of grazing runs. He secured one of these blocks of 3,800 acres in 1938. This country was mostly covered in tussock with a very low carrying capacity.
The procedure in breaking in this class of country is similar to that adopted when the pumice lands in the Auckland district were being settled; that is, a certain area was ploughed each year and put into turnips and after feeding these off, a suitable seed bed was prepared and put into grass. In this way the farmer gradually increased the carrying capacity of his farm but it meant long hours of hard work and often financial worry until the owner became established. Eric made a success of his block, and this was largely due to the good physique and tenacity of purpose that he inherited from his Scottish ancestry.
Eric's father was one of New Zealand's leading rifle shots in his day. He was a regular competitor at the National Rifle Meeting at Trentham, and a member of the New Zealand team that visited Australia in 1908 and won the international teams' competition between Britain, Australia and New Zealand. It was Alex's last shot that decided the trophy in New Zealand's favour. It was also in this series of matches that he secured the highest aggregate of points.
Eric takes a keen interest in local affairs. He has been an elder in the Presbyterian Church for 50 years, and his wife Molly an organist for 60 years. He has also been a good worker for the clan and assisted in gathering information about the Alexander branch for "Looking Back".
Eric married Miss Tilly Fleming, a daughter of Mr and Mrs James Fleming, of Fortification. Some time after her death he married Miss Molly Brown, a daughter of Mr and Mrs James Brown, of Clinton, and they have one son, Murray.
Molly and Eric retired in 1970, and moved to Gore. Their son, Murray, took over the farm on Eric's retirement. Murray is married to Joan (Hunter) and they have two children, a son, Derek, and a daughter, Robyn.
Acknowledgement.
The Ayson Story. Glenshee to Otago 1853 - 2000.
Published by Clan Ayson of NZ Society
1959. William Douglas Ayson. 1880 - 1971, Third Chief.
William Ayson was the eldest son of Lake Falconer Ayson.
He was born at Corydon, Warepa, on 10 November 1880, but left there when he was five years old to go to Masterton, when his father was appointed to take charge of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society's new trout hatchery.
After leaving school he worked with his father at the hatchery, where varieties of trout and game birds were reared. When he was 18 years of age he was sent to establish a new hatchery in the Hokitika district.
In 1900, when his father was appointed Chief Inspector of Fisheries for the new Fishery Division of the Marine Department, William returned to take charge at Masterton. At that time this was the largest hatchery in the Southern Hemisphere. Acclimatisation societies in both the North and South Islands obtained their trout fry and ova from Masterton. Several times trout ova were sent to India, South Africa and Australia.
In 1908 William was appointed in charge of the Auckland Society's hatchery and game farm at Okoroire in the Southern Waikato. At that time a lot of new land was being opened up for settlement and it was William 's intention to take up a block and leave the hatchery work which was affecting his health. After partly developing a block of 1,000 acres, he sold out during the land boom and assisted in organising a Farmers Fertiliser Company.
Having acquired a good knowledge of wood working in making the many appliances used in fish hatcheries, he decided to enter the building trade, and with the exception of some breaks in organising work, followed the trade for 40 years.
In his young days he was a good rifle shot and competed at the national rifle meetings at Trentham at the time when Alex Ayson, Eric's father, was a dominion representative.
Being a member of the Empire Forestry League he became an advocate, both in New Zealand and Australia, for making New Zealand the main source of supply for the Pacific of exotic timbers and wood pulp and lived to see this great industry firmly established.
Brought up in watery surroundings, he and his brother Charles learned to swim when very young. William took a keen interest in swimming matters and in teaching children to swim during the "learn to swim" campaigns. He was for many years, on the executive of the Wanganui Swimming Centre.
Besides being clan secretary, he was secretary for two other organisations and was awarded the Coronation Medal for his work in the welfare of the "old folks" of New Zealand.
Altogether he lived a very full life. He married Catherine Nancekivell, a daughter of William Nancekivell, who came to Otago in 1864, and later settled in Hokitika. They had a family of six daughters and two sons. Bill, as he was widely known, and Kittie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1952.
Catherine died in October, 1956. Bill died in Wanganui on 1 November 1971.
William will be remembered for his drive and outgoing nature. His compiling of "Looking Back" was of immense value for the conservation of our family history, and the family are greatly indebted to him for his foresight and effort.
Acknowledgement.
The Ayson Story. Glenshee to Otago 1853 - 2000.
Published by Clan Ayson of NZ Society
1964. Gilbert Ross Ayson. 1911 - 1982, Fourth Chief
Gilbert Ross Ayson, eldest son of John and Agnes Ayson, grandson of Peter Jnr and great grandson of Peter, of Glenshee, was born at Warepa on 27 May 1911.
He was educated at Warepa and Balclutha Primary School. On leaving school, Gilbert joined his father 's building firm. As well as being a skilled carpenter he was also able to attend to plumbing, painting and wallpapering.
Being unfit for military service in the Second World War, he was directed to essential industry, working in Balclutha on the contruction of two linen flax processing mills. Later he became a staff member at the Finegand Plant.
When the war was over, he returned to building on his own account for many years. A leg and back problem later forced him to take on the lighter work of grocery storeman , petrol station attendant, and lastly office work with a local sawmilling company. He then retired to Balclutha, and even though he was partially disabled maned to keep a large garden.
Gilbert was Chief from 1964 to 1970. He and Margaret Gibson, together with the Balclutha committee, were responsible for the successful gathering held at Balclutha in March 1978 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Aysons' arrival in New Zealand.
Gilbert was a kindly person with an easy-going nature and was respected by all.
In 1937 Gilbert married Eva Shanks, who supported him in all he did. They had four children - two sons, Vernon and Ross, and two daughters, Maureen and Jennifer.
Gilbert was for many years on the Warepa School Committee and was a keen member of 100F Lodge, being secretary for several years. He supported his local church, and was a member of the South Otago Historical Society and in the latter capacity, assisted in the restoration of the Sod Cottage at Lovells Flat. In his younger days tennis was Gilbert's sport.
He died on 26 December 1982, aged 71 years, and is buried in Balclutha Cemetery.
Acknowledgement.
The Ayson Story. Glenshee to Otago 1853 - 2000.
Published by Clan Ayson of NZ Society
1970. Fergus Ayson. 1905 - 1997, Fifth Chief
Fergus Ayson was born at Tyneholm, Wyndham, the second son of Alexander Rattray Ayson and thus a grandson of Thomas, and great-grandson of Alexander. He is a brother of the second Chief, Eric.
In 1919 the family shifted to Reefton on the West Coast. It was in Reefton that Fergus finished his schooling and went to work at a coal mine at the early age of 14 years. In 1922 he decided mining was not for him, so he joined a coal ship that sailed from Greymouth to Lyttelton. He started with the DYC Yeast Company in March 1923, and was based in Christchurch. He gained his steam ticket in 1924, and went to the newly opened DYC factory in Auckland in 1925 in charge of boiler and maintenance. It was during these years that Fergus was a motor cycle enthusiast, his knowledge as a mechanic being much sort after.
Next came 5 years as a flight mechanic in the RNZAF during the second World War. After the war, Fergus returned to DYC Yeast, and became works manager. In 1966 he was asked to go back to the Christchurch factory as acting manager, a position he held until his retirement in 1970.
In March 1970, at the National gathering held in Christchurch, Fergus was elected Chief and in 1971 he decided that if the clan were to survive it would need to have branches to enable members to assemble in their local areas. He formed four branches in the South Island and four in the North Island.
During his time as Chief, Fergus did much to bring clan members together by visiting from one end of the country to the other. He also spent a lot of time researching the early records of the Aysons in Scotland. This research has been a great help in establishing the family's roots.
In Dunedin in 1985 Fergus retired as Chief, but the knowledge he has of the family has been of immense help in the compiling of this book.
Fergus, in retirement, is a busy man. He has travelled extensively in New Zealand and overseas, and regularly attends the RNZAF re-union each year at Hobsonville.
Ferrymead Historical Museum in Christchurch is also fortunate to have Fergus working on its vintage machines. He restored a vintage steam engine (1873 model) and also an 1886 steam fire engine. His latest project was the restoration of a small steam engine capable of driving an electric generator, circular saw, milking machine etc.
Fergus also serves as a handyman for the George Manning Old Folks Home, and it is not uncommon to see furniture from there in his home workshop in Major Hornbrook Road, awaiting repairs. Cheerful by nature and hospitable, Fergus is always glad to welcome friends and clan members to his home. He himself says, "I consider myself a wealthy man - not in money - but rich in friends who live in many parts of the world".
Acknowledgement.
The Ayson Story. Glenshee to Otago 1853 - 2000.
Published by Clan Ayson of NZ Society
1985. Peter Douglas Giffen Ayson. 1924 - 2016 Sixth Chief, First Secretary
Peter Douglas Giffen Ayson is named after his great grandfather and great grandmother and also his grandmother. He is the youngest son of William James Telfer Ayson, who was the eldest son of William, the third son of Peter of Glenshee.
Peter was born in Gore in 1924 and his early years were spent in Waikaia, a mining township in Northern Southland. His father had gone to Waikaia in the early 1900's where he was first a dredgemaster, then after dredging employed in alluvial and deep-lead gold mining.
His secondary education was at Gore High School, after which he worked in the Post Office at Waikaia and Bluff before seeing service with the RNZAF during the Second World War.
On his return to civilian life he worked in the Post Office in several Southland towns. He was also with the Bank of New Zealand in Gore for a time.
In 1952 he married Mary Hodge, who came from a farming family, and in 1954 they embarked on a farming career. In 1956 they leased one of the Hodge family's farms at Riversdale and purchased it at a later date. Like Walter Ayson, Mary and Peter were successful pig breeders, having a Large White and Berkshire stud as a sideline to sheepfarming. They won the supreme champion sow at the Royal Show in Invercargill in 1963.
In 1971, poor health forced Peter to change his occupation so they sold the Riversdale property and purchased a smaller place handy to Invercargill. Peter went to work for a firm of Chartered Accountants. In 1975 the family moved to Knapdale in the Gore area where Peter and Mary farmed in partnership with their second son, Philip, until 1985, when they retired to Gore.
Peter has been secretary to a Gore businessman for a number of years.
It was at the General Meeting in Dunedin in 1985 that Peter became the sixth Chief. He is the only surviving member of the original committee, and was the first secretary.
He says he has enjoyed getting to know so many cousins, and lasting friendships have been formed which would have never come about, if it had not been for the formation of the clan. He has corresponded with many cousins he has yet to meet .
Peter has always taken a keen interest in sport and as a young man played rugby for several clubs and represented Northern Southland and the now defunct Wakatipu sub union. As "cricket is my first love" he says, "my cricketing days were too short".
Peter together with his wife Mary have always been active in the Presbyterian Church. At Riversdale, he devoted much time to Youth Work, and has been an elder for 34 years. Membership of the Gore Pakeke Lions Club is another interest.
Peter and Mary have a family of four - three sons and one daughter, and two grandchildren.
Peter Douglas Giffen Ayson 12 February 1924 - 25 June 2016
Acknowledgement.
The Ayson Story. Glenshee to Otago 1853 - 2000.
Published by Clan Ayson of NZ Society
2003. Colin Leonard Marshall. (1935 - 2004), Seventh Chief
Colin was born at Wyndham. His sister Eleanor had died two months before he was born so he was raised as the only child of Alice and Alan Marshall.
The primary school was at Niagra. Because there was no school bus Colin rode his pony down the valley to another farm, and was driven to school in the teacher's car.
Later in his primary school days when the Blackhorn Mill was in full production, Colin was the 40th child to climb on the bus. He boarded privately in Invercargill while attending Southland Technical College, but left school because of his father's ill health.
In 1960 he married Iris and they moved into the house built for his grandparents' retirement. Colin was a foundation member of the Tokanui Young Farmers' Club, then an advisory member, and delegate to the Tokanui Rabbit Board. He participated in community affairs, served on the Church Board of Managers, and was Past Chairman of the Southern District Ambulance Society.
Farming was a big part of his life. Whether working with a team of horses, driving a tractor, working with cattle and establishing the Glenfern Shorthorn Stud, or training farm workers, Colin took it all in his stride. He graduated from club rugby to coaching, selecting and administration and was the last President of Southland Rugby before rugby went professional. He and Iris went to the Rugby World Cup 1991.
Colin treasured his family of three daughters and a son, and took a great interest in all their activities. He lived life to the full, rarely complaining even when suffering pain and discomfort.
Sadly he died after seventeen and half months after being in office as the seventh Chief.
2006. Arthur Ayson Neame (Ace). (1938 - 2015), Eighth Chief.
Arthur Ayson (Ace) Neame was born in Christchurch in 1938 to Mabel (1.10.4) who was the youngest daughter of Robert (Blind Bob) Ayson.Special interest in the Clan was instilled in him by his mother who was brought up in Warepa with her three sisters, Agnes, Annie (Nancy) and Emily.
Ace's family moved to live in the Waikato in 1942 where his father worked on the new Karapiro Hydro Dam.
In the 1948 epidemic Ace contracted polio and for the next two years spent time in Waikato Hospital and Heretaunga for the Sister Kenny treatment.
As a twelve year old he and his mother shifted to Mount Maunganui where he completed his schooling at Tauranga College.
He graduated from the New Zealand School of Physiotherapy in Dunedin in 1960.
After one year working in Greymouth Hospital Ace became Charge Physiotherapist at Tauranga Hosptal where he met his wife Lorna Rolt.
In 1964 he moved into Private Practice and started a famiy in 1966, Andrew, Ingrid and Richard.
In the following years he helped establish The New Zealand Manipulative Physiotherapists Association becoming the President for the first ten years.
From 1984 to 1997 he travelled extensively (USA, Canada, Holland, Italy, Greece, Sharjah, and Kuwait) presenting four day workshops for physios on the McKenzie Institute techniques for back and neck treatment.
Family time was very busy during the summer with camping, spear fishing and sailing activities with all three children achieving well in yachting competitions.
Since retirement in 2000 he has held the positions of President and Newsletter Editor for the Western Bay of Plenty Post Polio Society.
Ace and Lorna have also enjoyed many adventures fishing, boating and 4 X 4 off road driving in both the North and South Islands and Australia.
In 2006 and 2008 he experienced great joy in becoming a grandfather to Eliza Mary and Angus Ayson.
Arthur Ayson (Ace) Neame passed away on 10th June 2015.
2013. Hugh Henry Francis. (1940 - ), Ninth Chief.
From Palmerston North , pictured with his wife Mary (nee Maloney), Hugh Francis was appointed Clan Chief at the General Meeting in Dunedin on Easter Saturday 2013.
Born in Taumarunui in 1940, he is a 5th generation Ayson on the Peter side (1.13.3). His mother, Myrtle, was the 2nd daughter of Hugh Fraser Ayson, a son of Lake Falconer Ayson. His English father was Ken Francis, a wildlife ranger based at Turangi. Schooled in Whakatane, he joined the RNZAF in 1959 and graduated as a navigator.
Over the next 33 years he flew Devon, Sunderland Flying Boat, Bristol Freighter, DC-3, Hercules and Friendship aircraft for a total of 9,300 hours. Overseas postings included Fiji and Singapore (in support of the Vietnam War and Indonesian Confrontation detachment to Borneo). In 1981 he was seconded to the Singapore Air Force to train navigators on Hercules aircraft.
Hugh held many senior appointments: RNZAF Chief Navigation Instructor; Commanding Officer of the Navigation and Air Electronic Training Squadron (Wigram); Officer Commanding Operations Squadron (Ohakea); Training Plans Operations Group HQ; and attended Junior and Senior Staff courses for promotion.
In 1992 Hugh joined the School of Aviation, Massey University, in Palmerston North, where he lectured in navigation to overseas pilot trainees. Many are now captains flying for airlines worldwide. In 2010, Hugh’s services to New Zealand aviation were recognised by the Royal Aeronautical Society with a silver medal Meritorious Services Award.
In retirement since 2011, he enjoys overseas travel, cycling, boating, trout fishing, redecorating, and was for the second time President of the Manawatu Officers’ Club 2013 - 2014. He and Mary have two daughters, Melissa and Treena, and two grandsons, Tyler and Jayden.
Hugh Francis is the 9th Clan Chief.