Stephen Weir
| Sir Stephen Cyril Ettrick Weir | |
|---|---|
Weir holding an artillery rammer, late 1941/early 1942.
|
|
| Born |
5 October 1904 Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Died | 24 September 1969 (aged 64) Tauranga, New Zealand |
| Allegiance | New Zealand |
| Service/branch | New Zealand Military Forces |
| Years of service | 1923–61 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held |
Chief of the General Staff (1955–60) Southern Military District (1948–50) British 46th Infantry Division (1944–46) 2nd New Zealand Division (1944) 6th Field Regiment (1940–41) |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order & Bar Mentioned in Despatches (4) Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States) Cross of Valour (Greece) |
Major General Sir Stephen Cyril Ettrick Weir, KBE, CB, DSO & Bar (5 October 1904 – 24 September 1969) was a New Zealand military leader and diplomat.
Born in Otago, Weir became a professional soldier in 1927. He served in a number of postings around the country until the outbreak of the Second World War. Seconded to the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, he commanded a field regiment during the campaign in Greece and Operation Crusader. He was Commander, Royal Artillery of the 2nd New Zealand Division for two years, and in the absence of its nominal commanding officer Major General Bernard Freyberg led the division for a period in 1944. Late that year, he was appointed commander of the British 46th Infantry Division. After the war he was Quartermaster General of the New Zealand Military Forces before starting a five-yeam term as Chief of the General Staff. He retired from the military to become ambassador to Thailand in 1961. He retired from the civil service in 1967 and died in Tauranga two years later at the age of 64.
Stephen Cyril Ettrick Weir, born in Otago, New Zealand on 5 October 1904, was the son of a farmer and his wife. His given name was Cyril but he was known from his early childhood as Steve. He was educated at Otago Boys' High School, where he was part of the school's cadet group. He graduated in 1921 and the following year moved to Wellington where he was employed at the Stamp Duties Department. He was interested in a career in the military but no opportunities were available for officer cadets in the New Zealand Military Forces at the time. Instead, soon after his move to Wellington, he joined the Territorial Forces and served with the 6th Mounted Rifles.
...
Wikipedia