Name
Noah Swain
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
13/08/1917
33
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
47371
The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
16th Labour Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BRANDHOEK NEW MILITARY CEMETERY
VI. E. 33
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
St Albans Citizens Memorial,
Town Hall (old) Memorial, St Albans,
List of names (probable) on the Abbey Parish street memorials, St Albans Cathedral,
Sopwell Lane, Street Memorial, St Albans,
Not on the Weston memorials
Pre War
Born in 1884 in Weston, Herts to William and Emma Swain. Baptised on 7 December 1884 at Weston. Married Amy Walker on 15 May 1910.
1911 Census: living with wife and daughter Olivia (1-month-old) at 45 Albert Street, St Albans, Herts and working as Carman Cable Contractor. On enlistment he was living at 62 Sopwell Lane, Herts with wife Amy and two children, Olivia, born 1911 and Marjorie born 1915. He gave his occupation as Coal Merchant.
Wartime Service
Initially enlisted in St Albans on 11 December 1915, but not accepted until 26 February 1917. Was said on enlistment to be only 5ft 4½in tall and with poor eyesight. Left Folkestone for Boulogne on 11 March 1917. Initially with Royal West Surrey Regt, but transferred to 124th Labour Corps as 73893 on 14 May 1917. Died from a gunshot wound to the head.
Transcription of letter from Amy Swain, widow of Noah Swain (with original spellings and punctuation)
62 Sopwell Lane
St Albans
2.9.17
Dear Sir
I am writing to ask you if you can tell me for certain if my Husband Pte Noah Swain, No. 73893, 124 Lab Corps is realy dead I had a report from the War office a fortnight today Sunday stating my Husband had been wounded on the 12th and died on the 13th of August I cannot bring myself to believe he is dead. I can assume the news was a terrible blow to me as I have never seen my Husband in khaki he was called up the 24th of Feb of this year and sent off to France in a fortnight he never so much as had an hours leave which I think is the cruelest thing I have ever heard of my two dear children have never seen there dad in khaki and now if such is the case that my poor Husband realy has gone under I am left to battle for them and do not enjoy the best of health myself. I cannot make it out my Husband was wounded on the 12th died on the 13th and I had the pension papers in on the 23rd which all seems to quick to me. I know there was another Swain killed a fortnight before my Husband so do you think it possible that there has been some mistake as I keep hearing of different ones who have heard of there friends turning up after they have been reported dead. I had a report from 44 Casualty clearing Station B.E.F. France since then I have had a letter returned wounded and in Hospital. Dear Sir I hope you will do all you can in this matter for I can assure you not having seen my poor Dear Husband in khaki and not knowing him as a soldier this all seems more than I can bare I cannot imagin the Goverment being so cruel as to send poor married men who has a wife and children out with out ever letting them have a leave. When first my Husband joined he was attached to the Queens Royal West Surrys then in the 16th Labour Corps. I cannot think why he was ever sent out as he had been rejected twice and had lost the sight of his right eye. Dear Sir I hope if I am not troubling you to much you will let me have an answer as soon as possible.
Believe me
To be yours
Obident
A Swain
Additional Information
War gratuity of £3 awarded to widow Amy. His personal effects were returned to his widow, then living at 21 Queen Street, St Albans. They included letters, pipe, pouch, pocket wallet, religious book, purse, pocket knife, ring, 2 keys. His widow wrote a mo
Acknowledgments
Gareth Hughes, Peter Handy, Brenda Palmer
