Major Peter Weaver's military career is remarkable for its breadth, from the Royal Tank Corps, to the infantry, but also as an engineer and on colonial and special operations. Hearing accounts of the rise of Hitler, he joined the Territorials. The outbreak of war saw him rapidly promoted, volunteering for the Auxiliary Units, the secret force created in case of German invasion. His section of Dorset Regiment men set high standards in training. Considered too important for his commando, they were instead later recruited into the SAS. Paddy Mayne, SAS commander, was impressed by Weaver's leadership during a near disaster. Weaver parachuted into France on Operation Bulbasket, one of the few to escape a deadly ambush there. After specialist ski training, he fought in Germany on Operation Archway and was present for the liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Following VE Day he landed in Norway, nominally disarming the German garrison, but finding time for sports, drink, and local women.
Part of a little known SAS deployment in Crete, he later had spells with the Sudan Defence Force and training the Greek Army. More conventional soldiering with the Berkshire Regiment still saw him in combat in the Canal Zone. Weaver lived his life to the full, enjoying the Army, fast cars, and beautiful women. Drama followed him but he always managed to get away somehow.
