GENERAL PUTTICK

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23347, 2 November 1945, Page 4

GENERAL PUTTICK

Retirement At End Of Year Brigadier Weir To Succeed l(lim (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 1. The impending retirement of Lieu-tenant-General E. Puttick, C. 8.. D. 5.0.. General Officer Commanding and Chief of the General Staff of the New Zealand Military Forces, was announced to-day by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones).

General Puttick reached the retiring age on June 26 and completed his term of office on August 1, but the Government did not wish to make a change while the war continued. However, now that the war had ended, it had been decided that General Puttick will relinquish his appointments on December 31. and an completing his retiring leave will be posted to the retired list. He will be succeeded by Brigadier N. W. McD. Weir. C.8.E.. at present Quartemaster-General at Army Headquarters, who will be promoted Major-General and appointed Chief of the General Staff and first military member of the Army Board as from January 1, 1946.

Mr Jones expressed his own personal appreciation as well as that of the War Cabinet and the Government of General Puttick’s long distinguished loyal service. He had proved himself a distinguished leader in the field in two wars, and a most able staff officer, with special aptitude for organisation and administration and, as General Officer Commanding and Chief of the General Staff during the eventful years of this war, he had rendered outstanding service to the Government and the Dominion.