Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Swain, an ironstone labourer, born 1855 in Scalford, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Elizabeth Swain (nee Broom, married in the 4th quarter of 1883 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1856 in Somerby, Leicestershire. John William was born in in the 4th quarter of 1887 in Scalford, his siblings were, Edith Annie, born 1886, Lily, born 1889 and Charles Dennis, born 4th February 1890, all his siblings were born in Scalford, also residing in the family home was John’s widowed Uncle Charles Dennis Hudson, an ironstone labourer, born 1844 in Oakham, Rutland, in April 1891 the family home was at Church Street, Scalford. In March 1901 John was employed as a brickyard labourer and was residing in the family home at Church Street, Scalford, together with his father, an agricultural labourer, his mother and siblings, Lily, Charles, Mary Elizabeth, born 8th January 1894, Lucy Ann, born 27th November 1896 and Frances May, born 1898, the latter three siblings were all born in Scalford, also residing in the family home was John’s widowed paternal Uncle Samuel Swain, an ironstone miner, born 1865 in Scalford. In the 2nd quarter of 1905 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district, John’s father died aged 50. In the 4th quarter of 1908 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district, John’s mother died aged 52. John had another sibling, Marjorie Alice Ada, born 1906 in Scalford. In April 1911 John was employed as a farm waggoner and was residing in the family home at Castledine Street, Quorn, Leicestershire together with his wife Charlotte Elizabeth Swain (nee Edwards, married in the 4th quarter of 1909 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), an elastic trade cotton warper, born 1888 in Norwich, Norfolk. John and Charlotte had two children, William S., born 1912 in Quorn, and Samuel C., born 1914 in Long Clawson, Leicestershire. John first entered the theatre of war in France on the 3rd June 1915. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals.
On Friday April 21st 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – LONG CLAWSON. DEATH OF ANOTHER LONG CLAWSON SOLDIER. We regret to state that the death has occurred of Lance-Corpl. J. W. Swain, 16613, of the Leicestershire Regiment, who went to France in May, 1915, and took part in much of the heavy fighting there, including the battle of Loos. Later he was moved to Mesopotamia, where his regiment was again heavily engaged. Subsequently he contracted enteric fever, and died on April 8th. He leaves a widow and two young children, with whom much sympathy is expressed. Deceased was the first married man to volunteer for service from Clawson, but was a native of Scalford.