Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce ‘Defence of Kumassi’ group of five awarded to Doctor E. H. Tweedy, Assistant Colonial Surgeon at Kumassi during the siege and one of the Governor’s party in the break out from the city. Tweedy, a ‘good hinterland medical officer... well suited to the Northern Territories’, had already been wounded, and mentioned in despatches for service on the Gold Coast in 1897. He was wounded during the Defence of Kumassi, 29 April 1900, and once again mentioned in despatches for his good service. Tweedy served in the Togoland Expedition of August 1914, and went on to become the Principal Medical Officer, Sierra Leone, after the Great War

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, 1897-98 (Asst: C. Surgeon E. H. Tweedy, G. C. Constby:); Ashanti 1900, 1 clasp, Kumassi (Dr: E. H. Tweedy. A.F.F.); 1914-15 Star (E. H. Tweedy.); British War and Victory Medals (E. H. Tweedy.) mounted as originally worn, generally nearly very fine or better (5) £4,000-£5,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from an Africa Collection.

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Dix Noonan Webb, April 2003.

Edward Herbert Tweedy (LRCSI & LM, LRCPI & LM) appears to have first registered as a civil surgeon in 1892 at the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin. He was appointed a medical officer in the Gold Coast in 1897, and served attached to the Gold Coast Constabulary in the Northern Territory Expedition 1897-98 (mentioned in despatches, medal with clasp, and wounded).

The following is given in relation to Tweedy being wounded:

‘Gold Coast. Wanton attacks made on British subjects by the natives in the Gold Coast hinterland, south of Gambaga, induced Colonel Northcott with 100 Hausas to make a punitive visit to that region in March. Some fighting took place in occupying the town of the rebellious tribe. Among the seventeen wounded of the British force were Lieutenant Middlemist and Dr Tweedy.’ (Annual Register of World Events 1899, by J. Dodsley refers)

Doctor Tweedy was one of the Assistant Colonial Surgeons at Kumassi in 1900 and with Captain Davidson-Houston, the acting Resident, greeted the Governor, Sir Frederick Hodgson, and Lady Hodgson on the outskirts of Kumassi on 25th March 1900. During the siege that followed the ‘daily issue of rations was carried out with great care and scrupulous fairness by Dr Tweedy and Mr Grundy, one of the mines officials, who had to keep a remarkably sharp look out for attempts on the part of the soldiers to snatch an extra biscuit or two.’ (The Golden Stool, by F. Myatt refers)
Tweedy was wounded during the siege, 29 April 1900:

‘The result of the battle was an overwhelming defeat of the rebels on the north side. The next day we buried 130 bodies, and I have no doubt that in addition to those their losses were very heavy. Our casualties I am happy to say were insignificant. Doctor Tweedy was wounded on the head, but is doing well. No other Europeans were touched.

Insurgent bands every day becoming bolder. In view of telegram from Governor of Lagos, intend to detain Tweedy. He is in bad health and must be relieved as soon as possible. Urge despatch from England of Medical Officers as soon as possible.’ (Sessional Papers. House of Commons 1901. Volume 48 refers)

With the besieged garrison in imminent danger of starvation, Sir Frederick and Lady Hodgson finally, on the 23rd June, together with 24 Europeans, including Dr Tweedy, a force of some 600 native soldiers and over a thousand non-combatants, left Kumassi. They left behind them a small garrison of two officers and and a medical officer with about a hundred men, who were relieved by the relief force under Brigadier-General Sir J. Willcocks on the 15th July. Willcocks took away the sick and wounded and again left behind a small garrison. This was in turn relieved by the force under Colonel A. P. Burroughs on the 5th August.
Doctor Tweedy was mentioned in the despatch of Major A. Morris, Commanding Kumassi Garrison, dated 12 July 1900, London Gazette 4 December 1900: ‘Assistant Colonial Surgeons E. H. Tweedy and A. J. Chalmers displayed much zeal and energy in their manifold duties.’
On the outbreak of the Great War Doctor Tweedy was Deputy Principal Medical Officer, Gold Coast, and took part in the Togoland Expedition in 1914:

‘On 18th August [1914] the Deputy Medical Officer of the Gold Coast Colony, Doctor E. H. Tweedy with one other medical officer, Doctor J. M. O’Brien, three dispensers and three dressers arrived at Lome from Accra, and took charge of the base there.’ (Medical Services General History 1921 refers)

By the end of the war Tweedy was Principal Medical Officer, West African Medical Staff, in Sierra Leone. He was described as a ‘good hinterland medical officer... well suited to the Northern Territories.’

Tweedy returned to Dublin upon his retirement, and resided at 25 South Frederick Street. He died in 1938.

Sold with copied research, and a group photographic image of the Europeans besieged in the Fort at Kumassi.

For the recipient’s related miniature awards, see the following lot.