Background
Somerville was born in the Dunedin suburb of Andersons Bay in 1910, the son of Grace Isabella (née Isherwood) and James Cleland Hall Somerville.
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Jack Somerville
Edit ProfileEducation
He attended the University of Otago, graduating with a Master of Arts degree with second class honours in 1935. He then travelled to the United Kingdom, where he studied at Westminster College, Cambridge and the University of Street Andrews.
Career
He returned to New Zealand in 1938 to become the minister at Tapanui. During World World War II, Somerville served as a chaplain with the New Zealand forces from 1942 to 1945, first in Egypt and then in Italy. In 1945, he was awarded the Military Cross.
After the war, he returned to Tapanui, and then moved to the Wellington parish of Street Andrew"s-on-the-Terrace, where he served from 1947 to 1963.
Somerville was Moderator of the General Assembly of New Zealand in 1960-1961. Returning to his home town of Dunedin, Somerville was Master of Knox College from 1964 to 1978.
He was first elected to the University of Otago Council in 1969 and from 1976 to 1982 he served as chancellor of the university.
Achievements
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In 1955 Somerville was appointed a Serving Brother of the Venerable Order of Saint John and in 1958 he was promoted to Chaplain of that order. In the 1978 New Year, Somerville was appointed a Companion of the Order of Street Michael and Street George for services to the Presbyterian Church and the University of Otago. In the 1991 Queen"s Birthday, he was appointed a Member of the Order of New Zealand.
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Born
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Died
October 5, 1999 (aged 89) -
Nationality
New Zealand
Awards
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Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George; Military Cross Order of New Zealand; Venerable Order of Saint John; Order of St Michael and St George; Military Cross
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later King George IV, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, King George III.The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later King George IV, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, King George III.