Charles Earl William Levin.

Born 12th December 1904, died 15th January 2001
Charles, or Charlie as he was often called, was the son of William (Bootie) and Zoe Levin, (nee Johnston) Zoe as child One of three with older sister, Sybil and younger sister Marguerite (Kai). Born in the family home 'Rawhitiroa' at Greatford near Marton , New Zealand. Rawhitiroa

He lived on the "Rawhitroa" farm for his first twelve years until orphaned in 1916 when his mother died only six months after his father's death from wounds received on the penultimate day of the Gallipoli campaign. He and his sisters then went to live in Wellington, New Zealand With his grandmother Lady Johnston His trustees had sold the Greatford farm and bought a house at 1 Homewood Ave (now #7 ?), Karori . Here the children were cared for by a governess, Miss Turton. Their two family trustees were not on speaking terms and corresponded by mail.A childhood accident when a knife fell from a tree resulted in the loss of his right eye. His early schooling is unknown but but there was stint of English schooling when he was there with his parents just prior to WW1.

Subsequently he completed his education at Waitaki Boys College. After he left school at eighteen he spent three years as a cadet on Tora, Tora recollections a large Wairarapa sheep station owned by Eric Riddiford. Later he must have shepherded near Ruatoria as he sometimes told of having to take his saddle into the cinema and how difficult it was to navigate the ailse littered with other saddles. C Levin, early '30s
He inherited the Karori house and lived there before and after his marriage

the engaged couple
in 1931 to Margaret Herbert.They had four children, the eldest, twin boys (Peter and Paul) and two girls (Judy and Prue). Family photo For some years before WWII he owned and operated a service station on The Terrace, Wellington near or on land formerly owned by his father-in-law Dr W E Herbert who founded Bowen Street Hospital nearby.

He spent the war in the army, home service due to leg, eye and head injuries, leaving in 1945 as Warrant Officer. He then bought 263 acre farm near Sanson in the Manawatu Homewood to live for the next 56 years farming. He died age 96 in 2001. Following the footsteps of his cousin, Dorothy Campbell (nee Levin), he spent many years working with the New Zealand Pony Club serving as President and Patron.At a Pony Club Day
His widow, Margaret, survived him by two years.
They are buried in the Sandon (Sanson) cemetary.Their grave