Charles Dearing

Born in Islington, London, England, on 9 March 1908, Dearing was the son of Hannah Dearing (née Hards) and Joseph Stephen Dearing, a painter and decorator.^[1] The family emigrated from Britain in 1913, intending to settle in Argentina,^[2] but later moved to New Zealand. In 1933, Charles Dearing married Irene Alexandra Jeffs in Auckland,^[3] and they had one son, Rodney, born in Whangārei in 1938,^[4] who would go on to be the director of the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland.^[5] Charles and Irene Dearing divorced in 1943,^[6] and Charles married Rosa Joy Saxton.

In 1940, Dearing graduated from Auckland University College with the degree of Bachelor of Commerce.^[7][8]

In 1946, Dearing was runner-up in the men's individual foil competition at the New Zealand national fencing championships held in Auckland.^[9] The following year, he finished third in the same event at the national championships in Christchurch.^[10]

Dearing represented New Zealand at the 1950 British Empire Games in Auckland, alongside Austen Gittos, Murray Gittos and Nathaniel Millar in the men's team foil competition, winning the silver medal.^[11] Dearing also competed in the individual men's foil event, but did not progress after winning only one bout in the elimination pool.

Dearing died on 2 August 1962, and his body was cremated at Purewa Crematorium, Auckland.^[12]