Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John George Swain a medical student, born 1855 in Long Clawson, Leicestershire and his wife Anne Swain, born 1856 in West Calder, Midlothian, Scotland. John George was born in 1877 in Edinburgh, Scotland, he had one sibling, a brother Edward, born 1880 in Edinburgh, in April 1881 the family home was at Long Clawson. In April 1891 John was absent from the family home at Main Street, Long Clawson, residing there was his father, a dispenser of medicine, his mother and siblings, Edward, a schoolboy, Andrew, a schoolboy, born 1882, Ann Margaret, a schoolgirl, born 1883, Frank Taylor, a schoolboy, born 1884 and Emily Sarah, a schoolgirl, born 1886, all his siblings were born in Long Clawson, John was a schoolboy and was residing at Main Street, Barkstone, Leicestershire, this being the family home of his widowed paternal Grandmother, Ann Margaret Swain, who was living on her own means, born 1824 in Kinoulton, Nottinghamshire. In March 1901 John was absent from the family home at Main Street, Long Clawson, residing there was his father, a dispenser, his mother and siblings, Ann, a lace cheniler, Frank a butcher’s boy and Emily a lace cheniler. In April 1911 John was absent from the family home at Main Street, Long Clawson, residing there was his father, a dispenser of medicine, his mother and siblings, Ann and Emily, an elementary school teacher. John married Aileen Alice Maud O’Reilly, in Karachi, India in 1904, they had a daughter Anna Emily Gladys Swain, born 3rd April 1912 in Bengal, who was baptised in Holy Rosary, Bengal on the 3rd May 1912. His younger brother Andrew also died.
On Friday April 9th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – LONG CLAWSON SOLDIER’S. – Amongst the many instances of families who have supplied a lion’s share to fight for their King and Country, the family of Mr. J. G. Swain is worthy of note. Mr. Swain has three sons in His Majesty’s forces. The youngest, Mr. F. T. Swain, belonging to the Royal Flying Corps, has been in France from the outbreak of war. Mr. Andrew Swain has given up a good post to join the Leicestershire Yeomanry. Although he has served four years in the South Notts. Hussars, and four years in the navy he had been back in civil life some years. The eldest son, Mr. John Swain, has a record of twenty years service in His Majesty’s forces and Indian Police. He retired from the army with the rank of Staff Sergeant, and has now left a position as sergeant in the Indian police force and come home to rejoin the Army to fight for his King and country in this hour of need. Mr. Frederick Wm. Stone and Mr. James Wm. Porter have this week joined His Majesty’s A.V.C. The village wish all good luck and safe return.
On Friday April 30th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS” – LONG CLAWSON SOLDIERS. –The latest to go to France from Long Clawson are Mr. Sidney Smith (son of Mr. Randolph Montrose Smith, farmer), who belongs to the 2nd Leicester’s, and has seen several years service in India; and Mr. Ernest Williamson, (son of Mr. J. Williamson), who has gone out with the Yorkshire Hussars, which he joined since the outbreak of war. Mr. John Swain, who recently returned from India to volunteer for active service, has been given a commission as lieutenant in the 13th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. Two recruits have offered themselves this week. Mr. Thomas Clayton was accepted in the A.S.C. He is the son of Mr. T. Clayton. Mr. Edward Tinsley, though anxious to serve his King and Country with the rest, was rejected for some slight imperfection in one foot, although it had never caused him to lose a day’s work. The best wishes go out with these brave men.
On Friday May 7th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – COMMISSION FOR A CLAWSON MAN. – Some further particulars are to hand concerning Mr. J. G. Swain, son of Mr. J. G. Swain, of Long Clawson, who, as stated in our last issue, has returned from India after joining the Leicestershire Regiment at Karachi, and has now been given a commission as Lieut. in the 13th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. Mr. Swain has had an interesting career. First associated with the army by joining the West Yorkshire Regiment, he was subsequently Colour Staff Sergeant in the Corps of Military Staff Clerks in India, and later a sergeant in the Indian Police at Karachi. Obtaining leave from the police for the period of the war in order to take up active service, he enlisted for the Leicestershire Regiment while still at Karachi, and on his return to England was at once made a Lance Corporal at the Depot, the grant of a commission following. In addition to long service in India, Lieut. Swain has seen military service in China and the Straits Settlements.
On Friday November 19th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – LONG CLAWSON. – AT THE FRONT. Lieut. J. Swain is now serving with the 93rd Burma Infantry, who have taken part in the heavy battles of the last few weeks. A most interesting letter was received from him by his sister on Tuesday the 16th inst., in which he states that he was well at the time of writing.
On Friday December 3rd 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – LONG CLAWSON. – WOUNDED OFFICER. Lieut. John George Swain, who has been fighting with the Indian Expeditionary Force in France, is, we regret to say now lying in Lady Northcliffe’s hospital for wounded officers, Grosvenor Square, London. He is suffering from injury to his knee, from which it is hoped he will soon recover.
On Friday August 11th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – LONG CLAWSON. – ON LEAVE. It has given much pleasure to see Lieut. J. Swain on leave, he having recovered from a dislocated knee caused by slipping when hurrying back to the trenches in France.
On Friday October 13th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – LONG CLAWSON. – RETURNING TO DUTY. Lieut. J. Swain having recovered from injuries received at the front some months ago has again left the village for the seat of war. The best wishes of the parishioners go with him for his future safety. – Pte. Harry Smith left for the front last week-end and the villagers wish him good luck and a safe return.
On Friday January 19th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LONG CLAWSON.” LOCAL OFFICER KILLED – Much sympathy is expressed throughout the village with Mr and Mrs J. G. Swain and family in their bereavement, they having received the sad news that their eldest son Lieut. J. G. Swain, has been killed in action. Lieut. Swain was serving in the Indian army, and had previously been wounded.
On Friday February 23rd 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LONG CLAWSON” – THE LATE LIEUT. SWAIN.- The following letter is the last sent here by Lieut. J. G. Swain, of the Indian Infantry, being written on the day before the battle on the 9th January in which he fell. It conveys the spirit in which he served his King and country up to the last, and it was received by his sister a few days ago: - I.E.F. “D” Mesopotamia 8th January 1917. Dear old Mag, I cannot write at length, as I have not the time. Very busy. Big attack by us coming off tomorrow morning. I am hopping the parapet in the first line. The weather has cleared up a bit, and it is to be hoped that it will continue so until after tomorrow morning, or the going will be much worse than ploughed land after heavy rain, and you can imagine what such land would be to charge over. I feel somehow as if I shall come through, and am inspiring my men to the same belief. They are good men and cheerful. If the men at home who are “hiding” could only see what Indian soldiers are doing for them and their homes I think they would be ashamed and come forward. Will write to you when it is all over. Heaps of love to you all, especially George. Your affectionate brother, Jack. – P.S.: The reason no parcels are coming up is on account of this push, but they will come up later when transport is available. In the meantime The Cheese!!!