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Dr Tweedie

Photo: Illustrative image for the 'Dr Tweedie' page
Brother-in-Law to Film Star Victor Mclaglan
By Pauline Marples

Dr Tweedie is a doctor recalled by many people in the early memories of Forest Town. Very few people would know that he was born in Belfast, and his full name was Norman Claude Basil Lancelot Tweedie.

He was in the Army for three years and was mentioned in despatches. He also won a flyweight Boxing Championship while in the army.

Mansfield

Dr Tweedie came to Mansfield in 1919 and was at one time in practise first with Dr Houfton and then Dr Gettleson at Forest Town. After the death of Dr Gettleson Dr Tweedie had his own practise.

He is remembered as;-

'being a 'gentle' doctor, also one that did minor operations on the parlour table with the aid of chloroform.'

'Dr Tweedie was a great help to the miners in times when it was difficult to claim compensation. He was well respected at Mansfield Colliery'.

He was a member of the Mansfield Colliery Unit of St Johns Ambulance Brigade.

Police Training Centre

In 1946/7 when the No 3 Police Training Centre was established in Forest Town in the Former Bevin Boys Hostel, Doctor Tweedie lectured the police recruits in First Aid. Those times were recalled by recruits and staff:-

"We used to call it Doctor Tweedie's Twilight Hour, he used to give us a lecture on first aid. A nice chap he was."

"Dr Tweedie had a very low almost Irish voice, don't think he was Irish but he'd a very low voice...He could send you to sleep as quick as anything..."

"Dr Tweedie was the Medical Officer of Health...He was a doctor and had his own practise, but in addition he was Medical Officer of Health for the police."

Sherwood Hall

Prior to living at Annesley House Mansfield, he lived with his wife at Sherwood Hall on the edge of Forest Town.

Film Star

His wife (possibly Lily) was the sister of Victor Mclaglan a film star who appeared in films such as the 'Quiet Man' with John Wayne. The film star often visited Sherwood Hall, and people in Forest Town still remember those visits, including the car he drove, and that he used to go into the Ravensdale Public House.

Family

How many children Dr & Mrs Tweedie had is unknown, local people recall that one son died tragically in a garden shed fire when the family lived in Mansfield. Another son Basil Victory Hennesy Tweedie was a Pilot Officer in 250 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He died aged 20 on the 10th May 1942, he is remembered on the Alamein Memorial, Egypt (see  www.cwgc/register )

Death

Dr Tweedie died on 30th July 1951 while holiday in Cornwall, he was only 58. His home address at that time was Annesley House Mansfield

Obituary

Dr Tweedies obituary in the Chad stated that he was survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter living in the USA. His funeral took place in Halwel London.

 

Source - Oral History, private collection. Book 'The Forest Town Hostel' by Pauline & Malcolm Marples. North Notts Advertiser 2/8/1951 pg 6

 

 

This page was added on 04/11/2009.

Comments about this page

Dear Pauline, Thank you for the article you wrote about my grandfather, Dr Tweedie. There is a misconception regarding the fire in Mansfield. There was a little girl that died in the fire and the son of Dr Tweedie survived with multiple burns. Dr and Mrs Tweedie had four children. My mother, first born, the second born was killed in during the war, the third born moved to Kenya and then to Australia and the last born was the son who survived the fire. Feel free to contact me .

By Pauline D Trevino
On 25/01/2010

My name is Denise. I am Paulines cousin. Dr. Tweedie was my Grandfather and Lilly was my Grandmother. Dr. Tweedie and Lilly had four children Ivan, Basil, Marion and Eric Tweedie. I do have birth records of my father Erics birth to these parents. Any information you can send me would be greatly appreciated on my Grandfather Dr.Tweedie or Lillian McLaglen Tweedie. She played piano at Albert hall from what I understand. I was so glad to finally see him mentioned on your site. His memory as well as our Grandmothers should be preserved.Thank you, Denise

By Denise
On 20/06/2010

I can remember Dr Tweedie visiting our home in Crown street in 1938 to see my dad and myself we were both ill in bed. I was seven at the time. After taking swabs etc Dr Tweedie found I had diptheria and sent me to the Forest Hospital. He was a kind chap with a soothing voice. It wasn't the doctor who scared me, it was my dad! He called in a loud voice from his sick bed..."He's only going to cut yer throat lad!"

By Barry Heath
On 08/07/2010

Dear God...Sounds like your Dad tried in the only way he knew to have a great sense of humor..I'm sure that totally freaked you out as a kid but honestly I pray you can laugh now at your Dad's twisted sense of humor. We all just have to laugh at life don't we? God bless you. Denise

By Denise...Dr. Tweedie's Granddaughter
On 08/08/2010

I was born during WWII and at an early age contracted Whooping Cough and German Measles at the same time. I can't really remember the doctor but my mother always said that it was him that I owed my life to. I seem to remember her saying that he died after a fall and, strangely perhaps, was succeeded in the practice by doctor Eedy/Eady. I'm sure it must be the same Dr Tweedy. If so, good to see his photograph. Thanks Dr E.

By Trevor Ellis
On 31/08/2010

Hello Pauline and Denise....Just to add a little humour to the page regarding Victor Mc Laglen visiting your gran and grandfather...My wife's mother and grandmother used to live at the " Clinic " on Ratcliffe Gate.My wife's grandmother was the caretaker of the Clinic at the time. As a young working girl,she had just come out of the Clinic gate, when who should come charging round the corner was Victor, knocking this young lady flying to the ground ! He was the perfect gentleman.He picked her up..Probably with one hand,,,He was that big !!!! I believe she lived on that meeting with Victor for a long time.. Best wishes.

By alcurtis
On 02/02/2011

To:AlCurtis Thank you for your comment about Victor and his courteous nature. I'm so glad the lady had a great memory from that incident. Good memories are always great!!! Denise

By Denise
On 04/04/2011

See earlier comment -Sorry folks, I got the wrong doctor!!!! Pauline, you did not know my dad, at his funeral two men walked up to my mam and said..."The best bloke we ever knew" He too died aged 58 an ex ww1-ww2 veteran. A hard but loving dad, like I portrayed him in my play "ME MAM SEZ. Bazza

By Barry Heath
On 02/10/2011

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