George Alexander Weir

George Alexander Weir was the son of Archibald Weir MD, a Malvern doctor. Like many university men of his generation, Weir’s destiny was changed by the outbreak of war with the Boers in 1899. He volunteered for service with the Worcestershire Yeomanry, with whom he served in the ranks for 209 days before being commissioned. He was twice mentioned in despatches during the South African War and received the Queen’s Medal with four clasps.

He transferred to the Regular Army on 11 January 1902 as a Captain in the 3rd Dragoon Guards. By 1914 he had passed staff college and risen to the rank of Major. He had recently taken up the post of Senior Tactical Instructor at the Cavalry School when war broke out in Europe. Weir deployed to France as Staff Captain, 4th (Cavalry) Brigade in the original BEF. On 14 October 1914 he became GSO2 of the newly formed 2nd (Cavalry) Division and, in June 1915, was appointed CO 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles; he was slightly wounded on 6 September but remained.

Promotion to general officer soon followed in October 1915 when he became GOC 84th Brigade, 28th Division. Nine days after Weir’s appointment, 28th Division was notified of its imminent transfer to Salonika. Weir commanded 84th Brigade there until March 1918. He remained in the army after the war, rising to the rank of General in October 1937 while GOC-in-C Egypt. He was knighted in 1934. He retired in 1938.