Robert Weir

Robert joined the University of Glasgow in 1907. Whether he had yet decided to follow in his father’s footsteps in becoming a Minister is unknown, but Divinity students at this time were required to first complete an ordinary Arts degree, which Robert did without difficulty. In his first year, Robert undertook classes in Latin and Greek, followed by Logic, History, and Mathematics in his second. His third year saw him study Moral Philosophy and English Literature, and in 1910 he was awarded a prize for Moral Philosophy, given for “general eminence in the essays and examinations of the class”. His final year focused on classes in Economics and Politics, and he graduated on the 20th June, 1911.

Robert continued his studies at the Glasgow United Free College, where he undertook a course in Divinity. He was licenced on the 5th May 1914, and began work as an Assistant Minister in Selkirk. He then enlisted as a Private in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, where he was commissioned after only six weeks of training.

Having moved from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders to the 15th Bn. Durham Light Infantry, 2nd Lieutenant Robert Weir was involved in an attempted raid on the Enemy front line. Strong wire entanglements and heavy fire from the Enemy made for an unsuccessful attack, and 2nd Lieutenant Robert Weir was killed in the battle on the 9th April 1917.

Robert is remembered on the University of Glasgow war memorial, as well as the Coatbridge Civic Memorial, and the St Giles Cathedral Memorial for Ministers, Probationers and Divinity Students. He was buried at the Cojeul British Cemetery in St Martin-Sur Cojeul, and there is an inscription on his family’s gravestone in Old Monkland Cemetery, Coatbridge.