Arthur William Swain
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Father: Joseph Swain, born in 1868 at Arnold, Nottinghamshire. Mother: Sarah, born in 1868 in Lincolnshire. Brothers: Harry, born in 1893 and working as a sugar boiler, Thomas Charles, born in 1900 and Edward, born in 1906. Sisters: Sarah, born in 1895 and working as a lithographic printer, and Freda, born in 1896 and working as a pattern girl. All the children were born in Nottingham. The family lived at 4 Newark Street, Sneinton, Nottingham, but later moved to 36 Windmill Lane, Sneinton.
The 1st Battalion moved to Mespotamia in December 1915, from France where it had served since October 1914. Owing to heavy losses the Battalion formed the Highland Battalion with the 2nd Battalion the Black Watch in February 1916, but resumed its former title in July 1916. Arthur is buried in Amara War Cemetery, Iraq (grave ref XVII.J.8). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal (medal roll gives service number: S/9932).
Arthur's brother, Joseph, served as a driver in the Royal Horse Artillery and survived the war; he served in Egypt from 25 April 1915. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 10 June 1916: ‘Swain. Died in the Persian Gulf, May 22nd, Private Arthur William, elder son of Mr and Mrs J Swain, 36, Windmill-lane. Dearly loved by his sorrowing mother, father, sister, and brothers.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
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