In search of Great Aunty Gwen ~ Dr Graham’s Homes UK

When Greg Stone was growing up in Australia, he remembers being captivated by visits to the home of his great aunt, Gwen Hasting.

"I was always aware she had some connection with India - partially because our family home and that of my grandparents always contained a variety of carved wooden furniture, brassware, textiles and ornaments from the subcontinent," he explains. "As a child, visiting Aunty Gwen and Uncle Fred's home in Melbourne was always fascinating, as they had even more Indian art and craftwork throughout the house."

Greg knew very little about India at the time but, as he grew older, he learned that Great Aunt Gwen - who he remembers as a gentle, caring and loving person" - had spent most of her working life (around 30 years) in a faraway Himalayan town called Kalimpong.

Gwen travelled to Kalimpong from her native Melbourne, Australia

Gwen's great nephew, Greg

Years later, after Gwen had passed away (she died in 1976), an unexpected trip to the Himalayas kickstarted Greg's own fascination with India - and a growing interest in his Great Aunt's time at Dr Graham's Homes.

"In 1994, I was unexpectedly invited to provide some assistance to an NGO based in the foothills of the Himalayas, north of Dehradun. I was very reluctant to accept the invitation, but eventually agreed to go once, and once only.

"However, as soon as I arrived in the hills, everything changed, and from that moment on, India has played a significant part in my life. In fact, my upcoming trip will be the 40th to the country.

"My newly acquired interest in India also turned my thoughts to Aunty Gwen. I wanted to know more about her life in Kalimpong. I have been gradually collecting as much information as I can."

He soon discovered that Gwen had had a remarkable career at DGH. Starting as an English teacher in 1925, she eventually became the Deputy Headmistress and (rather reluctantly!) the Acting Headmistress when then-headmaster Rev Ewan Traill moved to America.

Gwen (left) with some of her DGH colleagues

Woodburn Cottage and the room where Gwen lived (X marks the spot!)

Her time at DGH also coincided with much change and upheaval, including World War II, Independence and, in 1942, the death of Dr Graham himself, which kickstarted a major period of transition for the Homes. Along the way, Gwen was also an accomplished art and music teacher, an avid photographer, a great gardener, and an enthusiastic fan of various sports, particularly tennis. In 1958, she married husband Fred in the Katherine Graham Memorial Chapel; the Best Man was the extraordinary Scottish missionary and Tibet expert George Patterson.

Although Greg has unearthed plenty of new detail about Gwen, it hasn't been easy. "Throughout her time in India, she frequently wrote letters home to Australia, but only a few of these have survived and much information can only be obtained through photos, a few documents, and family oral history," he explains.

With that in mind, Greg wonders if any of our friends or supporters might know more about Gwen and her time at DGH. "There are many gaps in her story, and I continue to undertake research," he says. "Perhaps some of your readers may be able to shed some further light on Gwen?"

Can you help?

Do you know any more details about Gwen's life at Dr Graham's Homes? Greg would love to hear from you. Please drop us a line here at DGHUK and we'll put you in touch with him.