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 dispenser of medicine, born 1855 in Long Clawson, Leicestershire and his wife Annie Swain, born 1856 in West Calder, Midlothian, Scotland. Andrew was a schoolboy and was born in the 1st quarter of 1881 in Long Clawson, his siblings were, Edward, a schoolboy, born 1880 in Scotland, Ann Margaret, a schoolgirl, born on the 8th November 1882, Frank Taylor, a schoolboy, born 1885 and Emily Sarah, a schoolgirl, born 1886, the latter three siblings were all born in Long Clawson, in April 1891 the family home was at Main Street, Long Clawson. In March 1901 Andrew 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 cheniller, Frank, a butcher’s boy and Emily, a lace cheniller, Andrew was employed as a commercial clerk and was residing as a boarder at 65, Carrington Street, Nottingham. In April 1911 Andrew was absent from the family home at Long Clawson, residing there was his father, a dispenser of medicine, his mother and siblings Margaret and Emily, an elementary school teacher, Andrew was employed as an accountant’s clerk and was residing as a boarder at 65, Boswell Street, Sefton Park, Liverpool, Lancashire. Andrew married Nellie Lowe in Leicester on the 2nd June 1909, Nellie was born in 1886 in Bitteswell, Leicestershire, they had a son, Gordon Frank, born on the 2nd June 1910, in April 1911 Nellie and Frank were residing as boarders at 15, Clarence Street, Leicester, the family home was later at 8, Gotham Street, Leicester. Andrew had an elder brother, John George, born 1877 in Edinburgh, Scotland, who fell in action in 1917.
Andrew attested into the Territorial Force to serve (One year’s Embodied Service at Home) on the 22nd March 1915 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Long Clawson, Leicestershire, his age as 33 years and 11 months and his trade or calling as accountant. He confirmed that he was married. He stated that he had served with the South Nottinghamshire Hussars for three years and was now time expired. He gave his father J. G. Swain of Virginia Cottages, Long Clawson, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 5½ inches in height, weighed 7 stone and 10 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34 inches. His complexion was described as sallow, his hair colour was black and he had brown eyes. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Territorial Force on the 22nd March 1915 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Yeomanry as a Private, service number 2905 (255668) on the 22/3/15. Posted to the 3/1st Leicestershire Yeomanry, and Embodied Service commenced on the 22/3/15. Appointed Lance Corporal on the 28/4/15. Transferred to the 2/1st Leicestershire Yeomanry on the 15/6/15. Reduced to Private on the 17/4/16. Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on the 11/4/17. Appointed paid Lance Corporal on the 12/10/17. Attached Officer Cadet Battalion, Jesus College Cambridge on the 28/12/17. Examined by a special medical board at the 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge and classed as “E” under A.C.O. 1606 of 1917. Disability Neuritis – P-?- Poor Development on the 16/5/18. Discharged as being no longer physically fit for War Service Para: 392 XVI Kings Regulations on the 22/6/18. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 22/3/15 – 22/6/18, 3 years 93 days. Total service, 3 years 93 days. Died on the 11/11/18 in the Camberwell, Surrey district.
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 January18th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – LONG CLAWSON. – SOLDIERS’ MOVEMENT. – It has given much pleasure to the many friends of Pte. Chester Seagrave to see him home on leave looking so well after recovering from his wounds. Petty Officer F. W. Whittaker, of the R.N.A.S., is also on leave from the front, after his long and trying experience he has been appointed instructor to the American officers of the American Flying Corps. Trooper Harold Richards has been on leave from the front. Trooper Andrew Swain has joined a Cadet school at Cambridge to train there for a commission. Mr. Gibson Allen has been called to the colours and Mr. Sidney Whittaker has voluntarily joined up in the Notts and Derby’s. He is the third son on Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Whittaker of the Post Office, to given their services.