Don Tweedie: Fighting Bandsman’s last stand
The story of Donald Kenneth Tweedie, about his life as a child, and how he grew up through the depression, then going off to war, and how he dealt with life after the war. The following account of his life is recorded here, as a personal story of a young man who grew up without a father figure in his life. He was very close to his mother and loved her very much. My father had a dream of owning a cattle stud, playing cricket and playing drums as a bandsman. These dreams came true to a certain degree. However, with the event of World War II he would suffer tremendously as a Prisoner of War and his health would never be the same.
This is a true account of a dedicated Australian soldier who went off to war, thinking it was a great adventure and a great way to see the world. However this attitude changed over three and a half years of witnessing various atrocities, death, destruction, starvation, disease and inhumane acts, as you will see after reading this document, as told to me by my father Pte Donald Kenneth Tweedie, (NX 51579) 8th Division, 2/20th Battalion Australian Infantry Forces (AIF).
If anyone wants to purchase a book they can get it from Terry Tweedie as per my details below.
www.terrytweedie.com (this is more for people overseas who want to purchase book from the publishers.)
For friends and family of 2/20th bn.The cost is Soft Cover $25 and Hard Cover $45 plus postage. This is a reduced rate.
There is a book launch at Chatswood RSL 10.30am start on Sat. 22nd April, 2017. I would love to see a few faces from my fathers battalion there. Otherwise I will catch up with you all on Anzac Day.
Terry Tweedie
1 Bicknell Drive
Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
Ph: 0428711725
H: 0266529450
Email: tdtweedie@bigpond.com