Martin Tweed
Encyclopedia
Martin Tweed was an eminent medical doctor and sportsman from New Zealand who played rugby union at an international level, touring Argentina with the 1910 Combined British rugby union side, an early incarnation of the British and Irish Lions
.
"A. H. Harkness, Martin B. Tweed; and A. B. Danby—all New Zealand medical students at Guy's Hospital— were on the winning side yesterday, in the match against St. Thomas Hospital team. The favourites scored three goals and three tries to a dropped goal. From beginning to end the match was a rollicking, tearaway one of rushes and tackles and random passes."
Tweed was selected to tour with the Combined British
on the 1910 tour to Argentina
where he played in what Argentina count as their first test match. The tour was not officially sanctioned by the four home unions and in fact was promoted as the English Rugby Union side, but given it contained at least three Scots as well as other nationailities, the Argentinine press referred to it as the Combined British and it is often retrospectively referred to as an early incarnation of the British and Irish Lions
. Tweed never represented his native New Zealand.
On his return to New Zealand after the war, he returned to duty with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force
at the rank of Captain having already served in the UK, and on elistment listed his mother as his next of kin, situated in Hobson Street, Wellington, New Zealand. His embarkation date was 28 February 1919 from Wellington, aboard the Marama, which was acting as the Hospital Ship. No. 2.
During his time in the New Zealand Medical Corps. he rose to the rank of colonel and afterwards worked at Wellington Hospital
. He was the chief advisor to the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children.
In 1972 he continued to be registered as living in Heretaunga
, Wellington
. He married Margaret Moss (nee Elvery) and had a son, John Moore Tweed who was born in Carterton on 27 September 1920, and who went on himself to become an eminent Physician and Rheumatologist being awarded the MBE in 1991.
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
.
Early life
Martin Baird Moore Tweed was born in New Zealand. He went to England to study medicine at London's Guy's Hospital. There in 1916 he received the LMSSA Lond. qualification and in 1918 the MRCS Eng. and LRCP Lond.Rugby union
Whilst at Guy's Hospital Martin Tweed represented the medical school in rugby union. Such was the prominance of Guy's at the time that his exploits were reported back in New Zealand. In 1914 his part in the famous Guy's vs St Thomas clash was reported:"A. H. Harkness, Martin B. Tweed; and A. B. Danby—all New Zealand medical students at Guy's Hospital— were on the winning side yesterday, in the match against St. Thomas Hospital team. The favourites scored three goals and three tries to a dropped goal. From beginning to end the match was a rollicking, tearaway one of rushes and tackles and random passes."
Tweed was selected to tour with the Combined British
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
on the 1910 tour to Argentina
1910 British Lions tour to Argentina
The 1910 British Lions tour to Argentina is a retrospective term applied to the tour of Argentina made by a side made up of 16 English players and 3 Scots. The organisers of the tour named the team the "English Rugby Union team", but the host country advertised the touring team as the Combined...
where he played in what Argentina count as their first test match. The tour was not officially sanctioned by the four home unions and in fact was promoted as the English Rugby Union side, but given it contained at least three Scots as well as other nationailities, the Argentinine press referred to it as the Combined British and it is often retrospectively referred to as an early incarnation of the British and Irish Lions
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
. Tweed never represented his native New Zealand.
Career, military and later life
Before his participation in the First World War, Martin was one of those invited to the 19th December 1914 reception given by the High Commissioner to the captain and officers of H.M.S. New Zealand. He continued to study during the war, but was actively involved in military medical duties under the remit of the New Zealand Medical Corps. In August 1917 he was a groomsman at the wedding of Lieutenant Ralph Fitzßoger B. Beetham, N.Z.M.R. where the congregation consisted chiefly of New Zealand nurses from the hospital at Walton-on-Thames, the site of the major New Zealand hospital in the UK where Martin Tweed spent some time.On his return to New Zealand after the war, he returned to duty with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
The New Zealand Expeditionary Force was the title of the military forces sent from New Zealand to fight for Britain during World War I and World War II. Ultimately, the NZEF of World War I was known as the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force...
at the rank of Captain having already served in the UK, and on elistment listed his mother as his next of kin, situated in Hobson Street, Wellington, New Zealand. His embarkation date was 28 February 1919 from Wellington, aboard the Marama, which was acting as the Hospital Ship. No. 2.
During his time in the New Zealand Medical Corps. he rose to the rank of colonel and afterwards worked at Wellington Hospital
Wellington Hospital
Wellington Hospital might refer to:* Wellington Hospital, New Zealand, a hospital in Wellington, New Zealand* Wellington Hospital, United Kingdom, a hospital in London, United Kingdom...
. He was the chief advisor to the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children.
In 1972 he continued to be registered as living in Heretaunga
Heretaunga
There are two places in New Zealand called Heretaunga. For the region in Hawke's Bay see Heretaunga Plains.Heretaunga is a suburb of Upper Hutt located in the lower North Island of New Zealand. The suburb takes its name from a Hawkes Bay district that early european settlers in the Hutt Valley used...
, Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
. He married Margaret Moss (nee Elvery) and had a son, John Moore Tweed who was born in Carterton on 27 September 1920, and who went on himself to become an eminent Physician and Rheumatologist being awarded the MBE in 1991.