Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

William George Weir was born on 20 July 1881 at Dunedin, the first-born of George Ross and Rebecca Blount (née Palser) Weir. William was educated at Tapanui School, which may have been his first school, as his brother Thomas was born at Tapanui in 1887. From there William went to Caversham School, then to Union Street School in Dunedin. In 1891 the family moved to Ngapara, where he attended the local school, returning to Dunedin in 1895. The family moved about somewhat, and in the early 1900s Mr Weir, a hotelkeeper, left his wife and was imprisoned (1903) for failing to pay maintenance. In 1904 it was reported that George Ross Weir was living at Ashfield, New South Wales. Of a musical disposition, William started his working life in a music warehouse in Dunedin and then as a music warehouse salesman in Auckland. Was he the W. G. Weir who ran the 600 yards handicap race at the South Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club’s annual meeting held in May 1901? William George Weir married Mildred Coombes on 20 July 1914 at St Peter’s Church, Temuka. Both his mother and his sister, Elizabeth Weir, were witnesses to the marriage, Elizabeth being bridesmaid. William was then the manager of the Crown Hotel at Temuka, which had been owned by Mildred’s father who died in February 1914. Their daughter, Patricia Coombes Weir, was born on 10 July 1917 at Temuka. The newspaper account of the wedding noted that William’s father, too, had died. Yet, at his death, it was said that both his parents were living.

William George Weir became very involved in the Temuka community. He took great interest in fishing, swimming, and sport of all kinds, he was very popular, and did whatever he could to further the interests of local sports bodies. Before his marriage he was already providing music in Temuka. In 1914 he presented a trophy to the St Peter’s Miniature Rifle Club, and he also kindly donated a trophy to the Citizens’ Miniature Rifle Club; in 1917 he presented gold and silver medals for the Ladies’ Club. He was elected a vice-president of the Temuka Cricket Club in 1914, and vice-president of both the Temuka Rifle Club and the Milford Lagoon Association in 1917. Earlier in 1917 Mr W. G. Weir was elected a new member of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society.

Mrs Weir was one of the ladies who gave much valuable time to sewing meetings for the British-Belgian Fund, soon after the outbreak of war. In 1915 Mr and Mrs W. G. Weir gave £10 for the Sick and Wounded. William was the manager of the Crown Hotel when he was listed on the Reserve Rolls. Mildred Weir, who was a talented musician, was instrumental in forming the Temuka Patriotic Orchestra and played the violin regularly at send-offs to the Reinforcements in 1917 and 1918. William was a member of the Temuka Patriotic Orchestra, and did his part in cheering the men who were leaving for the war. It was in January 1918 that W. G. Weir, Temuka, married, hotel manager, volunteered for active service and registered at the Temuka Defence Office. Enlisting at Timaru on 23 March 1918, aged 36 yrs and Presbyterian, he nominated his wife as next-of-kin. He was 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighed 166 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 36-38 inches. Of fresh complexion, and brown eyes, he was in good bodily and mental health – sight, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs being all normal; no diseases, defects or fits. He had been absent from work for 4 months with a simple fracture of the right tibia 4 years earlier, but it had formed a good union.

On 20 May 1918, the Temuka and Geraldine men (42nd Reinforcements) who were leaving for camp, and their relatives, were entertained by the ladies of the Temuka Patriotic Entertainment Committee. A “bountiful and appetising repast” was provided, with musical entertainment during the meal. The men leaving that day “were among the very best men left in New Zealand.” Many of them were married, and they were reassured that their dependents would be looked after. They were asked to “play the man”, and to be straight and honest. In return, they would be well treated and honoured. They were going to fight for the good old flag and for the freedom of the world. They were wished the best of luck and a safe return. “For they are jolly good fellows” and a verse of the National Anthem were sung before the recruits marched to the railway station, where a large crowd had gathered to see them off – W. G. Weir, Temuka, and fourteen others. When William Weir and two others left Temuka in early July, after spending their final leave in town, there was a large gathering of people at the station to see them off. A farewell social had been tendered to Private W. Weir and others at the Maori Hall, Arowhenua, a few days before. A very pleasant evening was spent in dancing, Private Weir being one of those who provided the music. Before a very enjoyable supper he was presented with a handsome Maori mat. The soldiers were cheered and wished a safe return. A party of Maori ladies sang two farewell songs very sweetly. William Weir went away to serve his country, it was said, with a smile and a joke.

Private W. G. Weir embarked per the “Tofua” with the 42nd Reinforcements at Wellington on 1 August 1918, destined for London, England, where he disembarked on 4 October and marched into Brocton. At Brocton in October he was posted to the rank of Rifleman. The hospital report issued in December 1918, listed W. G. Weir of Temuka, but his was not a severe case. He had contracted pneumonia at Brocton and was admitted to Hornchurch on 26 November 1918.

William Weir returned to New Zealand in late January 1919. He had been invalided home per the troopship “Briton”, leaving from Plymouth on 24 December 1918. Draft 211, with over a thousand men aboard, was due at Lyttelton in late January 1919. “Temuka’s Greatest Day” saw over twenty boys from the Temuka district welcomed home. Flags were suspended across King Street and on many buildings. As the train came into the station, the big crowd cheered the soldiers who soon found their family and friends. Preceded by the Temuka Pipe Band and the Juvenile Brass Band, they were conveyed to the Post Office for the official welcome and praise for their work. Three rousing cheers were given for the returned men and three more for the boys who were still to return. “They had done their duty, and brought back victory,” said the Mayor. “The war was practically finished, . . . .” He hoped that the future of the world would be better than the past. Private W. G. Weir, who was among the afternoon arrivals, was one to thank the citizens, on behalf of his comrades, for their splendid reception.

He and a comrade were welcomed safely home at a social in the Arowhenua Hall and presented with medals by the Maori friends of the soldiers, “who wished to show their gratitude for the services they had rendered to the Maoris as well as the Europeans”. A “dainty supper”, or a “capital supper”, was provided and music and dancing enjoyed, the function closing with the National Anthem. Unfortunately and unavoidably, Private Weir had to leave shortly before the presentation and was to receive his medal the next day. Rifleman William George Weir was discharged on 20 March 1919, being no longer physically fit for War Service on account of illness contracted on Active Service. His British War Medal was sent to Mrs Mildred Weir.

After his return home he again engaged in community life, being elected vice-president of the Temuka Football Club and the Temuka Miniature Rifles Club, and in April 1919 W. G. Weir was elected to the committee of the Temuka Returned Soldiers’ Association. By September he had died, which was noted in the 1920 R.S.A. annual report. As of August 1919 Mr William Weir was very seriously ill, his condition causing his relatives very great concern. He had been in poor health since he was invalided home from the front. The illness from which he was suffering grew steadily worse. At the August 1920 annual meeting of the Milford Lagoon Association, of which W. G. Weir was a vice-president and an enthusiastic member, mention was made of his serious illness and sympathy was conveyed to him and his relatives.

Mr Weir took ill in Dunedin, where the examining doctor deemed an operation necessary. Returning home to Temuka he was to undergo an immediate operation for a cancerous growth and was sent to Te Rata Hospital. William George Weir died of cancer early on 1 September 1919 at Te Rata Hospital, Temuka, aged 38 years, and was buried in the Temuka Cemetery. He was honoured with a military funeral, which left from the Crown Hotel. The coffin was carried on a gun-carriage, and was covered with the Union Jack, on which was placed the late soldier’s uniform. The sad procession was headed by a firing party from the Temuka Senior Cadets, with reversed arms. Then came the gun carriage with coffin, chief mourners, returned soldiers, the Mayor, and general public. On arrival at the cemetery the cadets lined the way from the gun carriage to the cemetery gates. The beautiful burial service of the Church of England was read by the Vicar of St. Peter’s, and at its conclusion the Cadets’ firing party fired a salute, and a bugler sounded the “Last Post” on the bugle, a fitting conclusion to a soldier’s funeral. R.S.A. members were in attendance and a good number of returned soldiers acted as a guard of honour. Beautiful floral tokens of sympathy from the Temuka Returned Soldiers Association, Temuka Patriotic Orchestra, Temuka Licensed Victuallers, and other individuals were received. He was in receipt of a pension for just six months before his death, but as the operation was not carried out in a military hospital the authorities would not reimburse the doctor’s costs.

William enjoyed considerable popularity in the community and was remembered for his genial disposition. He had been a keen supporter of the Temuka Football Club, which moved a vote of sympathy with his widow and relatives at its annual meeting in March 1920. At the annual meeting of the Milford Lagoon Association in September 1920 regret was expressed on the loss of their much esteemed member, Mr William Weir. Probate in his estate was granted in October 1919. Before he left Temuka in May 1918, William signed the briefest of wills – “I give all my property to my dear wife Mildred and I hereby appoint her Sole Executrix of this my Will.”

The only child of William and Mildred Weir, Patricia (Pat) Coombs Weir, died after a short illness on 5 July 1921. Little Patricia Coombes Weir was born in 1917 (before her father went to the front). She was 3 years old when she died in 1921. Mildred was to survive her husband by some 51 years. In 1919, Mrs Weir served as a member of the Executive Committee for the Peace celebrations at Temuka. She played in the Patriotic Orchestra at the Returned Soldiers’ Ball in May 1919, and was leader of the Temuka Patriotic Orchestra for the visit of Sir Joseph Ward in December 1919. In December she again led the Orchestra at the Welcome Home for all Soldiers. In August 1920, Mrs Weir gave 21 shillings towards the Temuka War Memorial, and little P. Weir gave two shillings.

W. G. Weir’s name is inscribed on the Timaru Memorial Wall and was a 2010 addition to the Temuka War Memorial. The Temuka borough memorial was unveiled in August 1922 before a very large gathering in the domain, including Temuka Territorials and Cadets, Temuka and Geraldine returned soldiers, the Temuka Pipe Band, the Salvation Army Band, the children of the district schools , national and local dignitaries, and local folk. Opening proceedings, the Mayor said “We regret that this occasion has arisen, but having done so we must look back with pride at the actions of those who rose to the call of the Motherland, which was in peril. Many of those brave boys left these shores did not return, and we have erected this memorial to their memory, . . . “ Following hymns and scripture readings, His Excellency the Governor-General formally unveiled the monument and the local M.P. read out the names inscribed thereon.

The handsome Timaru monument was unveiled in an impressive ceremony on 25 April 1926 - eleven years after the immortal word “Anzac” first came into being. Immediately in front of the monument was a Guard of Honour, 100 strong; behind the Guard were the Territorials, and at the rear of the monument the High School Cadets and the Senior Cadets were drawn up. The returned soldiers in the parade included a captain, one officer and 150 f other ranks. The Battalion Band played Handel’s “Dead March in Saul”; scripture readings were given; the Lord’s Prayer was recited; the hymn, “O Valiant Hearts” was sung; and a prayer in commemoration of the Fallen, was offered by Rev. S. Parr. The Hon. Minister of Defence delivered an address and unveiled the memorial tablet. Kipling’s ‘‘Recessional” was then sung, after which the memorial was formally handed over to the Mayor of Timaru; three volleys were fired, the “Last Post” sounded, and the singing of the National Anthem brought a memorable and an impressive ceremony to its conclusion. In a very fitting and well delivered address, the Hon. F. J. Rolleston said: “. . . . . It is indeed fitting that this ceremony should take place on a day sacred to the memory of the Fallen—a day which commemorates events at once the most tragic and the most glorious in the history of the Dominion. Year by year we hold this solemn service, but while the passing of the years has soothed the sorrows of the bereaved, it has not lessened the numbers of those who desire to pay this tribute of respect to the fallen; nor the feelings of pride with which we look back on deeds of valour which made New Zealand famous throughout the world. . . . . And now to the glory of God, and in memory of the sons ol South Canterhurv who laid down their lives in the Great War, I unveil this memorial column.” The memorial takes the form of a Corinthian marble column resting on a granite pedestal, the supreme feature being a bronze cross surmounting the shaft.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [07 November 2013]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5557 0120487) [18 December 2015]; Temuka Cemetery headstone image (Timaru District Council) [10 November 2013]; Timaru Herald, 9 May 1901, 24 August 1915, 11 May 1917, 11 January 1918, 10 July 1918, 25 & 31 January 1919, 24 February 1919, 15 May 1919, 27 August 1919, 02 & 04 September 1919, 5 December 1919, 14 April 1920, 7 July 1921, 26 April 1926, NZ Police Gazette, 23 March 1904, Temuka Leader, 21 February 1914, 27 June 1914, 21 July 1914, 3 December 1914, 8 & 24 September 1914, 26 April 1917, 12 May 1917, 15, 18 & 29 September 1917, 16 October 1917, 13 & 15 November 1917, 10 January 1918, 5 March 1918, 21 May1918, 29 June 1918, 9 July 1918, 7 September 1918, 14 December 1918, 21 & 25 January 1919, 1 & 22 February 1919, 25 March 1919, 3 & 12 April 1919, 24 May 1919, 16 & 26 August 1919, 2 [x 2], 4 & 6 September 1919, 9 December 1919, 30 March 1920, 21 August 1920, 18 September 1920, 7 July 1921, 12 August 1922, Star, 25 July 1914, 12 December 1918, Dominion, 12 December 1918, Sun, 12 December 1918, 23 January 1919, 16 October 1919, 14 April 1920, Ashburton Guardian, 13 December 1918, Press, 22 January 1919, 6 July 1921, Evening Star, 3 & 8 September 1919, Otago Daily Times, 3 September 1919, Otago Witness, 5 September 1919 (Papers Past) [04 September 2013; 10 & 11 November 2013; 17 November 2014; 19 & 20 December 2015; 26 February 2018; 01 February 2020; 21 & 22 August 2020; 10 September 2020]; Probate record (Archives NZ/FamilySearch) [21 June 2014]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [20 December 2015]; Timaru Herald, 6 July 1921 (Timaru District Library) [19 September 2016]; School Admission records; Temuka Anglican marriage transcription (South Canterbury Branch NZSG); NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs)

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

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Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC branch NZSG

Currently Assigned to

TS