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| Gimmerburn Cemetery. |
"Dick" Weir was born in Naseby and grew up on the farm named Eden Bank in the Gimmerburn area. He worked as a motor mechanic in the Naseby area, not far to the south of his birthplace. He was called up early in 1917 and appealed to the Military Service Board for time to settle his affairs, which was granted. One of the things for Robert to settle was to marry Emily Marie Howell, from Lee Stream, which he did the very next day at the West Taieri church. It must have been a bittersweet time for Dick and Emily.
He embarked with the 27th Reinforcements in the middle of that year.
He was transferred from the Otago Infantry Regiment to the 2nd Entrenching Battalion at the end of March, 1918 and was with the Battalion at Meteren. He was one of the 42 New Zealanders killed on that day.
He embarked with the 27th Reinforcements in the middle of that year.
He was transferred from the Otago Infantry Regiment to the 2nd Entrenching Battalion at the end of March, 1918 and was with the Battalion at Meteren. He was one of the 42 New Zealanders killed on that day.
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| Otago Daily Times, 16/5/1918. |
WEIR —In loving memory of my dear husband, Private Robert William Weir (27th Reinforcements), who was killed in action "Somewhere in France" on April 18, 1918.
In a hero's grave he sleepeth,
Somewhere in France he fell;
How little we thought when we parted
It was the last farewell.
— Inserted by his loving wife. -Otago Witness, 20/4/1920
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| Meteren Military Cemetery, France. |
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