AN ‘amazing’ Coventry Second World War veteran who became a Guinness Book of Records holder for being part of the world’s oldest family is celebrating his 100th birthday by raising cash for a cause close to his heart.
Robert ‘Bob’ Tweed will mark his special birthday on Friday (December 8) and has asked his nephew, Andrew Kane, to help him set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Help for Heroes.
Bob with his four surviving siblings. s
Bob’s connection to the Armed Forces reaches back to the Second World War, where he served in the Far East Campaign against the Japanese in Asia, before being demobbed in 1947.
His son Alan has also served 22 years in the Royal Marines, his two grandsons served nine years each and his great-grandson has just finished his training.
His two brothers, Joe and Reg, were part of the D-Day Normandy landings, and incredibly, four members of the Tweed family went to fight in the Second World War and returned home.
He is also a part of the record-breaking Coventry Tweed family, made up of the 16 children of Percy and Flo Tweed who were brought up in Coventry.
Four generations of Tweed servicemen. s
It is thought they were the largest pre-war family in Coventry.
In 2014, Bob and his 11 then-surviving siblings entered the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest family in the world, with a combined age of over 1,019 years.
Bob was joined by 75 people, including his four surviving brothers and sisters, for a 100th birthday party on Saturday.
So far, Bob has raised £310 out of a £500 total target through his GoFundMe page.
His son Alan told the Observer: “Dad is a loving family man who always has time for other people.
“Along with his brothers and sisters he has made sure so many people got a fair crack at life.
“The fundraiser is close to the entire family’s heart as well, we want to do whatever we can to support veterans and on Christmas Day me and my son will be serving meals to servicemen and women who need it.
“Dad really is a remarkable man, he lives on his own and still fends for himself.
“He had a brilliant time on Saturday and we will celebrate again on his actual birthday.”
Visit www.gofundme.com/f/bobs-100th-birthday-fundraiser-for-helpforheroes to donate to Bob.
