Stephen Weir
New Zealand diplomat / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Stephen Weir?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
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.
Sir Stephen Cyril Ettrick Weir | |
---|---|
Born | (1904-10-05)5 October 1904 Dunedin, New Zealand |
Died | 24 September 1969(1969-09-24) (aged 64) Tauranga, New Zealand |
Allegiance | New Zealand |
Service/ | New Zealand Military Forces |
Years of service | 1923–61 |
Rank | Major-General |
Service number | 1523[1] |
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 | Second World War |
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) |
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 ceased his diplomatic career in 1967 and died in Tauranga two years later.