Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Major Alexander Weaver

Born and raised in Berlin, Alec was a teenager in Australia when World War 2 broke out. Alec was taken to a recruiting centre by two mates, and succeeded in joining the army despite his enemy status. However it wasn’t long before Alec’s German nationality was discovered.  Alec was in New Guinea, as a member of an infantry battalion when he was summoned before the Commanding Officer who confronted him with being an enemy alien and guilty of fraudulent enlistment. Alec was lucky he was so highly regarded and the adjutant was an eminent lawyer who started naturalization procedures, Alec was allowed to return to the platoon and a few months later his citizenship papers arrived and thus was sworn in as an Australian citizen whilst on active service.

Alec’s exemplary military career of over 34 years saw him serve in World 2, The Occupation of Japan, and The Korean and Vietnam wars and in a number of Staff Training positions.

One of the most outstanding moments of gallantry occurred when serving as a Lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion in Korea, when Alec was shot in the right arm and continued to fight only then to be shot in the right arm, he kept going, helping other through minefields to an Australian Outpost.  Alec spent quite some time in the MASH unit, until he was fit enough to be transferred to Japan.  Alec resigned from the Australian Regular Army in 1976 and joined the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, in which he served for fifteen years, participating in many demanding and interesting operations.

On retirement from ASIO, (being an accomplished German and Japanese linguist,) he was recruited by the Victorian Arts Centre as a Theatre Guide for foreign tourists.

He also took up teaching Japanese and German languages to TAFE students and for those attending courses at Community Contact outlets. Alec’s service to his Country started in the 1940’s until his semi- retirement in 1990.

Record of Service in the Australian Army:- Major Alexander Weaver

Major Weaver enlisted in the Australian Military Forces on 9th March, 1942. He was appointed Lieutenant on 19th January 1948 and allotted to the Australian Intelligence Corps.

On 3rd May, 1952 he was appointed to the Australian Staff Corps, and allotted to the Royal Australian Infantry. He was promoted Captain on 3rd May 1956, Major on 3rd May 1962 and held the following appointments:

Platoon Commander - 3rd Battalion, RAR Korea (wounded in action 25 May 1953)

Company Commander - 20th National Service Training Battalion (Southern Command)

Company Second In Command - 2nd Royal Victorian Regiment (Southern Command)

General Staff Officer Grade 2 - Headquarters, Northern Territory Command

Company Commander -1st Recruit Training Battalion (Eastern Command)

Second In Command - 1st Australian Civil Affairs Unit (Australian Force Vietnam)

Supervisor of Training – Army Apprentices School (Southern Command)

Overseas Service

New Britain 6/1/1945 - 21/2/1946

Japan 22/2/1946 - 10/6/1950

Manila 22/81950 - 1/10/1950

Japan/Korea             5/2/1953 - 5/1/1957

Vietnam 28/51968 – 4/6/1969

Major Weaver served in the Australian Army for over 34 years, 28 years as a commissioned

Officer and was awarded the following medals for his service:-

1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal, Australian Service Medal, Korea Medal, United Nations Medal (Korea), Vietnam Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, National Medal and 1st Clasp, Active Service Medal 1945-1975 Clasps Vietnam, Pacific, Korea, Australian Service Medal 1945-1975 Clasps Korea, Japan, PNG, Defence Force Service Medal and the Defence Force Medal.

Alec was awarded the ASIO Scorpion Medallion and recently nominated for the Pride of Australia Medal.

Alec met his wife Meg, who was a Nursing Sister and a Lieutenant in the Royal Australia Nursing Corp serving in Japan, where he was recovering from wounds sustained on active service in Korea. Alec and Meg have been married for over 60 years.

Alec was recently honoured on an Australian Stamp to commemorate 100 years of repatriation.

Courtesy of his son James Weaver