Herbert Ernest Swift
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Tom Swift was born in Norton, Nottinghamshire. He emigrated to Australia where he met and married his wife, Mary Ann, in 1889. They had a child in 1890, who they named Herbert Ernest Swift who was born in Gingin, Western Australia. By 1901 the had returned from Australia and were living at 56 Potter Street, Worksop, Notts. As he grew older, Herbert became a joiner like his father. Herbert married Mary Jane Parr of Worksop in September 1909 and two years later were residing at 4 Chapel Walk, Worksop. Four children followed their marriage, all born in Worksop, Ethel Maud in 1910, George 1911, Bessie in 1913 and Herbert Ernest in 1915. Five years after the death of Herbert, Mary Jane re-married to Henry Ward in Worksop.
The obituary of Pte. H. E. Swift Worksop Guardian 20 October 1916 To the long list of Worksop men who have fallen in the war, either on the Battle field or in hospitals from wounds, the names of other Gallant soldiers is to be added. On Friday, Mrs. Swift, 9, Humber Street, Worksop, received official notification of the death of her husband, Pte, Herbert Swift, of the Notts and Derby’s, who was killed in action on September 22nd. The circumstances under which Pte. Swift fought his last fight are not known, and only details to hand at the time of writing are from a Chaplain who buried him, and who writes:- “9-10-16.” Dear Mrs. Swift, You will have heard by now, I think, that your husband Pte H. E Swift, was killed in action on the 22nd September. He was buried by me in a small military cemetery and a cross placed on his grave by his comrades. If you write to the Director of Graves Registration, War Office, Winchester House, St, James Square, London, S.W., they will I believe, give you any information you wish as to the place. I offer you my sincere sympathy. Your husband gave his life for his country and his country’s cause, fighting on the side of right against wrong, freedom against oppression. In your great sorrow it will help you to remember this, and that he died a soldier’s death, and that you have every right to be proud of him. May God help you in your great grief? Yours faithfully, Kenneth D. Knowles, Chaplain.” Pte Swift, who was 27 years of age, enlisted in December, 1914, previous to which time he had worked at Steetley Colliery. He was married and leaves a widow and four young children, the eldest whom is seven on November 9th next, and the youngest, baby, eighteen month’s old. He had seen neither wife nor children for the past fourteen months. Swift took part in the operations at the Dardanelles, out of which he came unscathed, and then was drafted to France where he had seen much fighting. He wrote home most cheerfully, his last letter being dated September 16th, and in this he expresses his great wish to see his loved ones at home. He was the only child of Mr and Mrs. Swift, Potter Street, Worksop. Great sympathy is expressed with the widow and fatherless children. Pte Swift was a brave and gallant soldier, and was well liked by all his comrades.
CWGC - Son of Mr. and Mrs. Swift, of Newgate St., Worksop; husband of Mary Jane Ward (formerly Swift), of 9, Humber St., Worksop, Notts. His name is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial, Somme, France. Research by Colin Dannatt
