Tweedie, Brian Morrison

Brian Morrison Tweedie

Tweedie was born on 27th August 1923 to Frank Tweedie and Mrs Tweedie nee Baird. 

Tweedie was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institute (INST) where he was a keen sportsman. The Ireland's Saturday Night of 15th May 1937 reported on him coming 2nd in the 220 yards (14 years) race.

The Belfast Telegraph of 16th March 1942 reported that Tweedie would be playing in the Ulster Schools Rugby Final on St. Patrick's Day, 17th March against Portora Royal School.

On 13th April 1942 Tweedie joined Northern Bank at Head Office giving his address as 32 Old Cavehill Road, Belfast.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

Transfers followed to Irvinestown (1942 - Relief) and then Head Office (1942 - Secretary's Room).

In January 1943 he applied to the bank to be permitted to join the Royal Navy.

A formal resignation from the bank came in a letter dated 15th July 1946 to the bank from Tweedie indicating he was going to study dentistry at Queens' University, Belfast.

The Belfast Telegraph of 27th September 1956 reports the marriage of Tweedie to Miss Heather Christine McKinney of Ballymena at the First Presbyterian Church, Ballymena.

Tweedie died on 17th July 2016.

The following obituary appeared in the British Dental Journal published 31st January 2017 and written by P S D Henderson.

Brian was brought up on Skegoneill Avenue in North Belfast. He attended the local primary school and went on to RBAI (Royal Belfast Academical Institution), where he played in the 1942 Schools' Cup Rugby Final. During the second world war, Brian's family were evacuated to Rathfriland where he had many cherished memories of living with the Fegan family.

On leaving school, Brian joined the Northern Bank and was posted to Irvinestown. In 1943 he joined the Royal Navy and served on three landing ships, HMS Princess Astrid, HMS Eastway, and HMS Boxer.

Brian told the story of how his ship picked up a German U-Boat on radar, which they successfully torpedoed only to discover they had torpedoed a whale!

Brian was demobbed in 1946 and commenced his studies for dentistry at Queens University Belfast. Unfortunately, Brian contracted tuberculosis in the Navy and spent two years in hospital, qualifying from Queens in 1953.

Brian set up a very successful practice in Rathcoole and became a very active member of the Northern Ireland branch of the BDA. Brian served as Secretary, Branch President (1983) and was Trustee of the Benevolent Fund for many years serving on the Executive Committee.

Brian was elected to the International College of Dentists for services to dentistry, was awarded Life Membership of BDA in 1990 and was elected a Fellow of the BDA in 1998.  He was involved in the establishment of a general practice training unit in the School of Dentistry and worked part-time in a teaching post there.

Brian was a very keen golfer and an active member of Greenisland Golf Club where he was Captain in 1969 and was President for the club's centenary year – 1994.

Brian was a longstanding member of St. Peter's Parish Church where he served in many capacities. Brian, with his Navy background was called on every year to lay a wreath on Remembrance Sunday.

Brian is survived by his wife (of nearly 60 years), Heather, son, Philip and daughters, Jenny, Caroline and Susie.