Fr. Weston planned to return to Belfast

FR. GERRY WESTON, M.B.E., the Catholic Chaplain killed in the explosion at Aldershot on Tuesday, had volunteered to work with the Paratroop Regiment in Belfast and was ordered to leave Northern Ireland for his own safety.
Father Weston, 38, whose parents live in Enfield Avenue, Great Crosby, Liverpool, was described by Mgr. James O'Sullivan, the Army's principal Catholic Chaplain, as "a tremendously buoyant, gay and extrovert personality. He was always full of zeal and the paratroop brigade thought the world of him."
Lieut. Col. Geoffrey Howlett, Fr. Weston's Commander. in Belfast, said: "Gerry did good work in Ballymurphy trying to bring the Church, the community and the soldiers together. He often went into certain areas at great danger to himself. His life was threatened more than once as it was thought he was a spy in priest's clothing.
CURATE Fr. Weston comes from a family of four and has a sister and two brothers one of whom is a teacher in the Christian Brothers. Educated at St. Peter and Paul's School, Crosby, and St. Mary's College, Crosby, he entered St. Joseph's college, Upholland, at the age of 12 in 1947.
His first seven years as a priest were spent as curate at St. Benedict's Church, Hindley, Wigan, where he founded a very successful youth club. He was recognised by contemporaries as a fine all round sportsman, especially good at football, cricket and tennis.
Fr. John Thompson, who went to school with Fr. Weston, recalled his kindness in visiting his father every day while Mr. Thompson was seriously ill and Fr. Thompson himself was studying in Rome. "He was very gay, outgoing, generous and energetic," said Fr. Thompson. "He was so fit he easily passed the paratroopers fitness test at 36. He liked working with the Paras and
Fr. Weston
(from page 1) was proud to be with them. He had taken out a full-time army commission holding the rank of Captain and intended to remain with the Forces.
"I met him on his return from Northern Ireland this year, just before he went to Kenya for six weeks. He was very concerned with the situation there but glad to have been able to do something to help," said Fr. Thompson. It was for his work in Belfast that Fr, Weston was awarded the MBE last week.
VOLUNTEER Fr. Weston became an Army chaplain in 1967 and served with the Forces in Germany, Aden and the Persian Gulf. He volunteered for work in Belfast after a visit there last year and spent four months in the city.
He is believed to have been just beside a blue Cortina parked outside the officers' mess at Aldershot, when it exploded. Five civilian woman staff were also killed in the explosion.
His last words to his parish priest at Great Crosby, Canon Francis Danher, on Sunday, speaking about his planned return to Northern Ireland, were: "I am only doing God's will."
Cardinal Heenan will preside at Fr. Weston's funeral Mass at St. Peter and St. Paul's Parish Church, Great Crosby, at 11 a.m. on Monday. Archbishop Beck of Liverpool will be the principal celebrant ark will preach a sermon.