Colin Weir
British military officer
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Major General Colin Richard James Weir, CB, DSO, MBE (born 2 March 1971) is a retired senior British Army officer.
Colin Weir | |
|---|---|
Major General Colin Weir | |
| Born | 2 March 1971 Portadown, Northern Ireland |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Service years | 1991–2024 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Unit | Royal Irish Regiment |
| Commands | 1st (United Kingdom) Division 16 Air Assault Brigade 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment |
| Conflicts | Iraq War War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order Member of the Order of the British Empire |
Early life and education
Weir was born on 2 March 1971 in Portadown, Northern Ireland.[1] He was educated at Portadown College, and graduated from Queen's University Belfast with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History.[2]
Military career
Weir was commissioned into the Royal Irish Rangers on 26 May 1991.[3] He was appointed commanding officer of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment in March 2010 and was deployed in that role to Afghanistan.[2] He went on to be chief of staff for 1st (United Kingdom) Division in December 2012, commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade in July 2015,[4] and Assistant Chief of Staff (Operations) at Permanent Joint Headquarters in May 2017 before becoming General Officer Commanding 1st (United Kingdom) Division in November 2018.[5] Weir was appointed chief of staff to the Field Army in 2020, and stepped down in July 2023.[6]
Weir was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2010 New Year Honours,[7] awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) on 30 September 2011 for service in Afghanistan,[8] and appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 2023 Birthday Honours.[9]