Regimental number | 20761 |
Place of birth | Brisbane Queensland |
Religion | Church of England |
Occupation | Surveyor's assistant |
Address | Augustas Street, Toowong, Brisbane, Queensland |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 20 |
Next of kin | Father, J W Swain, Augustas Street, Toowong, Brisbane, Queensland |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Gunner |
Unit name | 9th Field Artillery Brigade 1 - 8 Reinforcements |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A8 Argyllshire on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Bombardier |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 8th Field Artillery Brigade |
Fate | Killed in Action |
Age at death from cemetery records | 22 |
Place of burial | Mericourt L'Abbe Communal Cemetery (Plot II, Row F, Grave No. 8), France |
Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 15 |
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: James Walter and Elizabeth SWAIN, Augustus Street, Toowong, Queensland |
Medals |
Military Medal 'Near MESSINES, on 6th August, 1917, during an intense hostile bombardment of the Battery position, the telephone control dug out received a direct hit from a 5.9" shell, which wrecked the dug out and wounded the telephonist on duty inside. In the midst of bursting shells, Gunner SWAIN without any hesitation entered the dug out and assisted the wounded man away to safety, and after doing this he returned to the damaged dug out and took up the duty of the wounded telephonist. He established and kept up communications (including that of his own Brigade Headquarters) until the finish of the hostile bombardment, which lasted over an hour. The cool initiative and grit displayed on this occasion required great pluck and determination, and was an excellent example to his comrades. Also, during the whole of his 7 months service with the Battery since its arrived in the line, his work has been characterised by a rare thoroughness and a high devotion to duty.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 9 Date: |
Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |