Name
John Leslie Sworder
21 July 1892
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
31/03/1917
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
9098
Honourable Artillery Company
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
H.A.C. CEMETERY, ECOUST-ST. MEIN
I. A. 24.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Westmill memorials, Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
John was born on 21 July 1892 and although recorded as in Hitchin, his birth was registered in Ampthill, Beds. but he was christened on 25 August 1892 in St Mary’s Church, Hitchin. His parents were William and Edith Sworder (née Smyth) who had married in Hertford on 21 September 1887.
In 1901 the family were living at The Limes, Coggershall Road (probably), East Cone Park, Essex. Present were both parents: William (51) and Edith (37), William was recorded as a retired farmer – he had previously farmed as Westmill, Hitchin, Herts. Their children were: Edith Margaret (12), Mary Smyth (11), John Leslie (8) and Charles Frederick (5). Also present was governess and a general servant. William died later that year.
By 1911 the family were living at 110 Rosebank, Constable Rd, Ipswich. Present were Edith Sworder, now 46 and a widow. All the children listed above were present, with John (18) and a clerk to an assistant surveyor.
John emigrated to Canada in 1911 on board Empress of Ireland, arriving in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on 27 Apr 1911, with his destination of Calgary. Is occupation had been surveying but he was planning on farming, and he worked on various farms.
He returned, because of the war, leaving St John, New Brunswick, Canada and arriving in Liverpool on 15 Mar 1915.
Return to England Departure from Canada John was 23, and a Farmer. He travelled on board 'Grampian' of the Canadian Pacific Lane. St. John, New Brunswick, Canada Arrived at Liverpool port on the 15th March 1915.
The Soldiers Died In The Great War (SDITGW) database records that he was born in Hitchin and was living in Ipswich when he enlisted in Bury St Edmunds.
Wartime Service
John joined a Remount Depot after being rejected ten times. Whilst working on munitions. He enlisted on 2 March 1916 joining the Honourable Artillery Company and was called for service on 2 October 1916 in Bury St Edmunds. He was 24 years a 2 month old and living at 110 Constable Road, Ipswich, Suffolk and working as a carman. It was recorded that he had previously been in the HAC. He was described as 5’ 11” tall with a 36” chest when fully expanded. He gave his mother as his next of kin.
He served at Home from 2 March 1916 but only seems to have been recorded for one day and then from 2 October 1916 to 23 December when he went to France, landing there the next day. His was posted to “A” Company on the 25th.
He was admitted to 23 Field Ambulance on 27 February 1917 with , then diagnosed with onychia (inflammation of the nail), then diagnosed with myalgia on the 28th, rejoining his unit on 2 March 1917 and was killed in action on the 31st.
He served in France and Flanders with the Expeditionary Force. He was killed in action at Ecoust St. Mein and was buried there.
His Commanding Officer said: "He was a very splendid fellow and is a great loss to his platoon and to myself."
His brother 2nd Lieut. Charles Frederick Sworder who was born in Claygate, Surrey, also fell.
Additional Information
After his death £1 15s 1d pay owing was authorised to go to his mother, Edith and £1 15s each to his sisters Edith Maragaret and Mary Smyth on 9 July 1917. Later a war gratuity of £3 was authorised to be paid to his mother.
His mother completed the Army form to register his living relatives which was witnessed on 12 July 1919. It confirmed John’s mother and that his younger brother had died and gave his sisters as Edith Margaret (31) and Mary Smyth both living with there mother. She signed for his British War and Victory medals on 4 May 1922.
Although John died in 1917 probate was not granted until 28 June 1938, when the value of his effect was £2274 12s 2d.
Acknowledgments
Derry Warners
