Lance/Corporal Edward Swainston.
208859 Royal Engineers W Corps Signal Coy.
Formerly Border Regiment.
Killed by lightning 12th November 1917, aged 22.
Edward was born on the 23rd Jan 1895 in Dewsbury, Yorkshire. The son of William Swainston and Ann Roch. His mother died the following year, 18th Feb 1896. In the 1901 census Edward (6) was lodging with his father William 42, a widower and a hawker, two sisters Bridget 17 a general pedlar, and Elizabeth 11, at 8 King St Colne.
In the 1911 census Edward (16) was with the 2nd Battalion Border Regt., in the Martinque Barracks, Alton, Hampshire, England.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 28th November 1914: WOUNDED IN THE HEAD. YOUNG BURNLEY SOLDIER RETURNS.
Private Edward Swainston of the 2nd Border Regiment, of 11 Charlotte Street Burnley, has returned home. He is not yet 20 years of age and looks even younger. He has been wounded in the head by a shrapnel bullet which scored across the top of the scalp. The wound is still very painful and private Swainston is an out-patient at the Victoria Hospital whilst recuperating at home. He has to report himself in a fortnight's time.
Private Swainston was wounded at Ypres on October 24-in whilst in the trenches. He had been out about a month. When he went abroad first the regiment were sent to the relief of Antwerp but when it fell on October 9 they had not reached the place and retired at once on Ypres, which leads to the belief that this spot was a re-arranged part of the line of Defence. At Ypres Private Swainston was in the trenches most of the time being wounded just outside one of the trenches. He says that he saw very few Germans and was at Ypres before the severe German attacks commenced on the positions occupied by the British just outside the town. After being wounded he was first sent back to Greenwich hospital.
Describing his experiences, Private Swainston said that they did not know where they were going until they landed in Belgium. There they did a bit of good work for a fortnight travelling all around the country until they had drawn the enemy away from the main body. But at Ypres they had to face the Germans, and there was only one British division against about four army Corps of the Germans. But the English held them in check for a week, fighting day and night, and The Division was congratulated upon their work. When Private Swainston was wounded he rolled in the trench, in which he was up to the waist in water for 2 hours with his head bleeding all the time. Still, as he said, "it could not be helped." They dared not move, because the shells were flying in all directions. At night-time they took the Wounded to the hospital in a van, which had to stop because the fighting was still going on, with the shells dropping all round them. When there was a quiet spell they moved the Wounded as quickly as they could, but just when they got the last man out of the van, it was blown to Pieces. Luckily no one was near it just then.
The next day the Germans broke through our lines, and we lost a lot killed and wounded. Two of his pals were killed and another wounded. Private Swainston admits that he was very lucky not to be killed, and during the time he was at Ypres he thinks he said more prayers than anyone. The sight of comrades going down made one's blood boil and once the British got a start advancing to get at the Germans there was no pulling the men back, either by officers or anyone else.
As has been said, he never got to very close quarters with the Germans, or else he would have had something off them. His wound is on the crown of his head, but he was very lucky as he fully expected the shrapnel to go right through him. It is a treat, he adds to go out there and see how the British Tommy fights. Even in the trenches with the shells flying all around him he will make tea and smoke his cigarette and sit down as if nothing were happening. In a bayonet charge Tommy never looks behind always going forward. One man who came home with him nearly lost his eye, but he said he would not have grumbled if he had lost it all together because "it was all for a good cause". Several in his Brigade were struck blind and dumb or blown to pieces by the bursting shells. One burst over him, but luckily he was lying flat on his stomach or he would have been blown to pieces.
He is glad to be home but ready to go out again, and added that he wished many more here would have the nerve and pluck to go also.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 29th December 1917: KILLED BY LIGHTNING. BURNLEY SOLDIER WHO HAD A VARIED EXPERIENCE.
Whilst operating a signal lamp on duty in Palestine at 1:20 on the morning of November 12th Lance Corporal Edward Swainston 22, (208858) Royal Engineers, was struck by lightning and killed. His parents who live at 11 Charlotte Street Burnley received the sad news on Christmas day. They had a communication from 2nd Lieutenant B L Bastin who stated: "He died at his post, and death must have been instantaneous and painless. I saw him buried in a grave dug by his comrades on the spot where he fell. The service was conducted by an Australian Padre of the Roman Catholic faith. He was a good little soldier, and a first-class signaller, and always ready to give a lead in his work. As his section officer, may I express to you the section's and my own deepest sympathy and regret."
Lance Corporal Swainston was the son of an ex-soldier, his father Mr William Swainston having served in the South African War. He was connected with St. Mary's RC church.
A soldier before the Outbreak of the present hostilities he enlisted 6 years ago. Formerly he was in the Border Regiment where being a good musician he played in the band. He served with the forces from the Outbreak of war in August 1914. He was twice wounded in France. The first time he was hit was at Ypres on October 24th 1914 whilst in the trenches. He had been out about a month. When he went abroad first the regiment were sent to the relief of Antwerp, but when it fell on October 9th they had not reached the place, and retired at once on Ypres. Privates Swainston was in the trenches most of the time being wounded just outside. He was hit again in March 1915 at Neuve Chapelle.
Lived at 11 Charlotte Street.
Edward left his effects to his father William.
Edward was buried in the Gaza War Cemetery, Palestine: Grave Ref; XXV.A.7.
