Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

PASSED AWAY
VENERABLE ARCHDEACON WEIR

Widespread regret was expressed when it was learnt that Archdeacon David William Weir, Archdeacon of Gippsland and Registrar of the Church of England diocese of Gippsland, had died suddenly at his new home in Raymond Street early on Thursday morning. The previous day he had attended his official duties as usual, but about 1 o'clock next morning he became ill. Medical aid was summoned but shortly after the Archdeacon passed peacefully away.
A student of Moore Theological College, Sydney, Archdeacon Weir was made a deacon in 1900, and ordained the following year. He served at Berrima (N.S.W.), Raywood, St. Columb's, Hawthorn, and Marshalltown. He was a chaplain with the Light Horse from 1914 to 1918 and on his return was appointed to the parish of Heidelberg. Having a preference for a country parish, he came to Gippsland and officiated as Rector at Maffra and later at Warragul. He was examining chaplain to the Bishop of Gippsland from 1926, and on the resignation of Bishop Cranswick was administrator of the diocese of Gippsland until the enthronement of Bishop Blackwood. As Registrar of the diocese he rendered valuable service and in his various capacities was indeed a pillar of the church whose place it will be hard to fill. Notwithstanding the many calls upon his time, he on occasions conducted services in the Sale parish and throughout his ministry it is probable that "Manhood" was his best sermon. He was a venerable and very friendly man, under the weight of three score years and eight. The church' seemed to him a second home and he. was never more happy than when engaged in its holy services. He performed his various duties with unfailing faithfulness. He was particularly popular with the young clergy, to whom he was always willing to lend a helping hand. He will be greatly missed at Synod, where his counsel was highly prized. Grave without dullness, learned without pride, yet when occasion justified its use he exhibited bright ready wit; ambitious not to shine or to excel, but treat justly the church he loved so well. His sympathy with the men who had fought for the Empire was unbounded and by none was he more highly regarded than by them. He is survived by his widow, four daughters- Adria, Betty (a nurse), Katherine (serving with the A.I.F. up north), Nancy (Mrs. Killen, of N.S.W.) -and one son, Fred (AI.F.). The funeral, which was largely attended, took place on Friday afternoon, moving from St. Paul's Cathedral, where a beautiful service was conducted by Bishop Blackwood, assisted by Archdeacons Adeney and Blundell. The Cathedral was packed to capacity, and the choir comprised 28 members of the clergy, many of whom travelled long distances to pay their last tribute to the deceased. Amongst those present were the Deputy Premier (Hon. A. E. Lind), Mr. W. 0.Fulton ML.A., Mr. W. McKenzie ML.A., representatives of the Gippsland Masonic Lodge and Rotary Club (both of which bodies deceased was a member), R.S.SI.L.A., and a contingent of pupils of St. Anne's Church of England Girls' Grammar School.The Bishop in the course of his address said in spite of the sorrow and loss of the late Archdeacon they should mingle a note of praise for his useful ministry. He referred to the directions in which that ministry had been given-his help to students for the ministry and his work as chaplain to the Forces in the last war and ever since, and as a member of the Masonic fraternity and Rotary Club, also his work as a father in his home. The Bishop concluded an inspiring address by calling on them all to emulate the deeds of so fine a servant of God. The casket was conveyed from the Cathedral to the hearse by Messrs. J.E. Christie and L. C. Treloar (laycanons of the Cathedral) and Colonel. R. Bennett and Captain Andrew (representing the Military Forces, Mr.J. Cater (representing R.S.S.LL.A.) and Mr. W. McKenzie, ML.A. (Synod), passing through two lines of the clergy in their vestments, each carrying a floral tribute. The service at the graveside was conducted by the Bishop. of Gippsland, assisted by Archdeacon Blundell. The R.S.S.I.L.A. service was read by Mr. J. Cater President of the Sale branch). The mortuary arrangements were directed by L. Jensen & Co. Amongst the many floral tributes forwarded were: The Gippsland Masons; members of Sale Mothers' Union; the Mothers' Union of Gippsland; the Ladies' Auxiliary of the R.S.S.L.L.A.; the Vestry and people of St. Paul's C. of E., Warragul; Rector and congregation of St. James, Traralgon; League of Soldiers' Friends, Traralgon; the members of the C.W.A.; St. John's Church, Maffra; St. Mark's, Rosedale; Sale sub-branch Returned Soldiers' Association; the Rotary Club of Sale; the girls of St. Anne's; Bishop in Council and Diocesan Registry staff, Mafrra branch R.S.S.I.L.A.; and many personal floral tributes.

Gippsland Times Monday 28 June 1943 page 1