Rewi Alley
of China
Born Dec 1897, Died Dec 1987.
Honoured by the People
In 2009 Rewi was voted by 19 million Chinese in the top ten foreign friends of China in preceding 60 years
This is a time short time line of Rewi Alleys Life, the links under each section provide a comprehensive understanding of the related topic and Rewi Alley himself.
Early Years in Canterbury
Born in Springfield – Rewi was third in a family of seven children
His father, Frederick was a farmer’s son who became a teacher, headmaster and land reform, advocate.
Rewi’s mother, Clara Buckingham was a farmer’s daughter, governess, and suffragette (a friend of Kate Sheppard)
Amberley, Canterbury and Wharenui Christchurch
Rewi lived in Amberley from 1898 to 1907 until he was 9 years of age when the family moved into Christchurch where his father became the headmaster of Wharenui school in Riccarton
At Wharenui school, Rewi’s education continued under the discipline of hard work from his father. His literary interests widened as he read Walter Scott’s and Dumas’s novels. Rewi at this time won a Navy League essay competition and his prize was Macaulay’s History of England
Christchurch Boys High
Rewi, no longer under his father’s direct influence, only studied the subjects he was interested in – history, geography and English. He enjoyed outdoor sports and team games plus later on, rowing
An early influence during his high school years was the museum, exploring its geological and insect specimens during his lunchtimes
Soldier in France 1916-18
In the 1st World War Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Japan & USA fought Germany, Austria and Turkey. Rewi’s elder brother Eric died in France in 1916; so Rewi, then only 18, enlisted in the infantry, determined to be part of a heroic victory.
He soon learnt of the reality of war when he was severely wounded and was left to die in a bomb crater.
A Rehab Farmer in Taranaki
It took Rewi more than a year to recover from his war wounds. Back in Christchurch, he met Jack Stevens – an old school friend and they decided to pool their money and buy a farm.
Struggling to Survive in Moeawatea
At the beginning of the depression in 1926, wool prices fell from 29pence/lb to 2pence/lb. Rewi and Jack were forced to earn extra money working on the local roads.
Rewi then realised the farm could not support two people so he walked off taking only his horse and leaving the farm to Jack. He got a job as a radio operator on a ship sailing from Sydney to Shanghai.
A Fireman in Shanghai
Rewi spent 10 years in Shanghai first as a fireman and then later as a factory inspector.
He quickly learnt about corruption, foreign exploitation and child labour.
Flood & Famine Relief
Rewi spent his holidays on flood and famine relief firstly in Inner Mongolia and then in Hubei Province. His actions in the city of Hong Hu on behalf of the League of Nations saved many thousands from starvation. He barged wheat through a blockade by the two warring armies, was shot at, and succeeded in getting food to the starving thousands
In Wuhan Rewi was successfully removed over 300,000 refugees from the flooded city saving over 10,000 lives
Underground Movement
On a visit in 1929 to Wuxi, Rewi witnessed six workers being executed for organising a union to gain better conditions for silk filature workers. From then on the social struggle in China began to take hold of him.
Rewi began supporting and being active in the underground movement, undertaking activities such hiding a radio transmitter, smuggling arms and writing for the cause under a variety of pen names.
The Japanese Invasion
Rewi travelled widely and became concerned about the destruction of Chinese industry by the invading Japanese Imperial Army particularly in the large cities.
The Gung Ho Movement
With Edgar and Peg Snow Rewi began the Gung Ho industrial cooperative movement to organise resistance to the Japanese by setting up small industries in the countryside. This received world wide support.
Bailie Schools
Rewi started six schools in China in the 1940’s based on half work/half study principles. The most successful was at Shuangshipu. It produced enough goods to sell to the Red Army.
In 1943 the school became threatened by the opposing Guomindang army so Rewi and George Hogg moved the entire school and students to Shandan.
Shandan’s Bailie School
Despite the difficult and arid conditions in western Gansu, the school became self-sufficient in both industrial and agricultural enterprises.
The school went on to train many highly skilled technicians who had important roles in China’s reconstruction.
Traveller and Advocate for the New China
Throughout the 1950’s, after seeking Zhou Enlai’s advice on what he should do, Rewi travelled widely throughout China and wrote about what he saw
Peace Worker
Having lived through two major wars Rewi Alley became a strong campaigner for world peace.
Rewi was a staunch anti-nuclear war campaigner
Rewi spoke at International Peace Conferences from 1960 to 1965 as China’s “Peace Ambassador”
Writer
After being replaced as headmaster of the Bailie School, Rewi felt at a loose end and decided to record his extensive knowledge of China plus his knowledge of Chinese poetry
Poet & Translator
Rewi was the first foreign writer to be made a member of the Chinese PEN society.
In October 1971, Victoria University awarded Rewi an honorary doctorate in literature for his writings and his translation of Chinese poetry, especially of Du Fu.
Collector of Artefacts
Throughout the 1950’s Rewi travelled widely throughout China and collected pottery and valuable historical artefacts which are displayed in museums in both Shandan, Gansu and Christchurch
Internationalist
Having lived through two major wars Rewi Alley became a strong campaigner for world peace. He took his Gung Ho (work together) principles around the world working with key political figures such as Mao Zedong and Che Guevara.
Family Man
Rewi adopted two boys during his refugee work and later took on as foster children the four adopted sons of George Hogg after his death. Later Rewi fostered Deng Bangzhen who married Lu Bo and between them they constructed the Springfield memorial.
