Stephen Weir

Following the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, Weir was seconded to the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF) which was formed for service overseas. He helped with the formation of various artillery units before being promoted to major and appointed commander, with the rank of acting lieutenant-colonel of the 6th Field Regiment of the New Zealand Artillery. He departed New Zealand with his command and a large contingent of the 2NZEF in early 1940.[3] During the transit to North Africa, Weir was commander of troops aboard the transport ship HMT Ormonde. He had to deal with a near mutiny by some of the soldiers aboard when the ship stopped at Bombay, due to the poor quality food being loaded there. He took the men's concerns seriously and did his best to resolve them, antagonising port officials. The manner in which he dealt with the situation was appreciated by the men under his command.[4]

Once in North Africa, the bulk of the 2NZEF formed the 2nd New Zealand Division, under the command of Major-General Bernard Freyberg. It was soon sent to Greece to counter the expected German invasion there. He performed well during the Battle of Greece in April 1941 and was recognised with the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).[3]

Major-General Freyberg, commander of the 2nd New Zealand Division, confers with Weir (on right) during the advance on Tripoli, January 1943.

Weir became commander of the divisional artillery (CRA) in November 1941, after the previous CRA, Brigadier Reginald Miles, was captured.[5] He had himself narrowly avoided being captured while supervising the retreat of the 6th Field Regiment during the Battle of Sidi Rezegh, the same action that saw Miles made a prisoner of war.[6] Promoted to brigadier shortly after assuming command, he built on the work of Miles and implemented measures to concentrate fire of the divisional artillery. This was used to good effect at Minqar Quaim, during the Battle of Mersa Matruh in June 1942.[3] Later that year, his work in co-ordinating the artillery efforts during the Second Battle of El Alamein earned him a Bar to his DSO. The division was soon transferred to the Italian Front as part of the British Eighth Army, with Weir continuing as CRA. In June 1944, he commanded the artillery of X Corps during the later stages of the Battle of Monte Cassino. In September, he was acting commander of the 2nd New Zealand Division while Freyberg recovered from injuries sustained in an aircraft crash. Weir ably led the division during the battles of Rimini, Bellaria and Rubicone. He relinquished command on Freyberg's return to the division in October 1944.[2]

A sketch of Weir by the official war artist for the 2NZEF, Peter McIntyre.

In November 1944 Weir was promoted to temporary major-general and given command of the British 46th Infantry Division, the only officer of a Dominion army to lead a British division during the Second World War. He led his new command during its crossing of the Lamone River and at the end of the year was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his work in Italy.[2][7] In early 1945, his division was transferred to Greece, which was being contested by left- and right-wing Greek guerrillas after its abandonment by the Germans. The 46th Division supervised the disarmament of guerrilla forces in Greece, work which was personally recognised with Weir receiving the Greek Cross of Valour. The division returned to the Italian front in April 1945 and then, on the cessation of hostilities, moved into Austria on occupation duties.[3] During the war he had been mentioned in despatches on four occasions and before the year was out he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath.[2] He also received the United States Legion of Merit.[8]

Weir relinquished command of 46th Division in September 1946,[9] and returned to his nominal rank of brigadier. He sought a transfer to the British Army but was thwarted by logistic constraints.[2] His return to New Zealand was delayed due to serious health issues but he eventually took up command of the Southern Military District in 1948. Two years later he attended the Imperial Defence College after which he served in the War Office in London.[2]

In 1952, Weir was appointed Quartermaster General of the New Zealand Army (newly formed from the New Zealand Military Forces as a result of the New Zealand Army Act 1950).[2] The following year he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal.[10] His appointment as Quartermaster General was followed by a term as Chief of the General Staff (CGS), from 1955 to 1960. During this time he oversaw the abolition of compulsory military training, a government policy which he personally disagreed with but carried out to the best of his ability. He also worked to improve relations with the military of the United States. Formally adding Stephen as a forename by deed poll in 1960, he was knighted following the completion of his CGS term. He became a military consultant to the New Zealand Government, working in the Prime Minister's Department and advising the Prime Minister, Walter Nash, on military matters affecting foreign affairs.[2]