1885 - 1916
CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916
Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916
Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
Pte 202865 Robert Swift
- Age: 31
- From: Blundellsands, Liverpool
- Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
- D.O.W Sunday 5th August 1917
- Commemorated at: Brandhoek New Mil Cem
Panel Ref: IV.D.12
PRIVATE ROBERT SWIFT.
202865 Liverpool Kings 19th Regiment – Died 5/8/1917 in Belgium age 31.
Robert Swift was born on the 27th July 1886 in Blundellsands, the son of James Swift and his wife Elizabeth (née Gradwell) who were married on 12th June 1873 at St James’ R. C. Church, Bootle. Robert had eleven siblings, Margaret, William G., Richard, Austin J., Ethel A., Francis, Ernest, Clara, Olive, Gertrude O. and Mary.
On the 1891 Census the Swift family were living at 51 Mersey View, Blundellsands. His father James is aged 46, a fish, poultry and greengrocer born in Bootle, his mother Elizabeth is aged 38, a greengrocer born in Kirkdale. Born Bootle are; Margaret 17, a fishmonger, William G. 14, a greengrocer Richard 13, at school. Born Blundellsands and at school are: Austin J. 12, Ethel A. 10, Francis 8, Ernest 7, Clara 5 Robert 4, with Gertrude O. 1.
His father died, aged 49, in 1895 and was buried on the 22nd December at Ford Cemetery.
On the 1901 Census the family have moved to 10 Blucher Street, Waterloo. Robert is a grocers assistant living with his widowed, mother, aged 47, and his siblings who are mostly involved in the business; William, is aged 27, Richard, is aged 25, Austin, is aged 22, Ethel, is aged 20, Francis, is aged 17, and is a printing apprentice, Ernest, is aged 15, and is a telegraph messenger, Clara, is aged 14, Gertrude, is aged 11 and Mary, is aged 9.
In 1908 he is on the crew list of the Cunarder RMS Saxonia.
He married in St Paul's Church, Kirkdale on 14th November 1909 to Agnes McKinnon. Robert, was a 23 year old waiter, of 15 Clyde Street, his father, was James, whilst Agnes was aged 22 of 291 Albany Roadd, Cardiff, her father, Allan, was a labourer. They had two children Robert Atkinson Swift in 1911 and Agnes Gradwell Swift in 1913.
The 1911 Census finds the family at 10 Esk Street, Kirkdale. Robert is a ships steward and lives with his wife and son Robert (aged 8 weeks). They are boarders with his wife's parents, Allan and Mary McKinnon and their four children.
In 1910 his mother, Elizabeth, and five siblings, Austin, aged 37, Ethel, aged 30, Clara, aged 25, Gertrude, aged 20 and Mary, aged 17, decided to try and start a new life in Canada, arriving in Quebec aboard the Empress of Britain.
His mother unfortunately died later on in 1910, and was buried at Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery,Toronto.
The headstone reads:-
SWIFT
In Loving Memory Of ELIZABETH SWIFT
Apr. 1. 1853 - Dec. 26. 1910
Gertrude O. Swift
Apr. 7. 1889 – June 11. 1924
Rest In Peace
He was serving in the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 202865.
Formed on 07th September 1914 the 19th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7th November 1915.
Sadly, Robert died of wounds at 32 Casualty Clearance Station on 05th August 1917, during the the Third Battle of Ypres.
Soldiers effects show Robert was with the 5th Battalion K.L.R. attached to the 19th Battalion.
His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on the 13th & 14th August 1917:
DIED FROM WOUNDS - SWIFT – August 5 died of wounds received in action Private Robert Swift KLR (16 years with Cunard Co. ) Dearly beloved husband of Agnes 9 Brunswick Parade, Waterloo.
His death was also reprted in the Liverpool Daily Post on 14th August 1917:
SWIFT - August 5, died of wounds received in action, aged 31 years, Private Robert Swift K.L.R. (16 years with Cunard Co.), dearly beloved husband of Agnes Swift, 9 Brunswick Parade, Waterloo.
Extract from the Crosby Herald, 06th November 1917
(Died from Wounds.)
Official information has been received by Mrs. Swift, 9, Brunswick-parade, Waterloo, of the death of her husband, Private Robert Swift, youngest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Swift, of Blundellsands and Waterloo, from wounds received in action on 30th July. He was in his 32nd year, and previous to joining the King's (Liverpool Regiment), on the 1st of March last, had been in the service of the Cunard Co. for 16 years. He had not escaped the menace of the "U" boats, having been a member of the crew of one of H.M. transports torpedoed in the Mediterranean. He was greatly respected and admired by all who knew him for his cheerful, loving and at the same time modest manner. His death took place on August 5th, and the deepest sympathy from a large circle of friends is extended to his wife and two children in their sad bereavement.
He now rests at Brandhoek New Military Cemetery in Belgium, where his headstone bears the epitaph:
"THY WILL BE DONE"
During the First World War, Brandhoek was within the area comparatively safe from shell fire, which extended beyond Vlamertinghe Church. Field ambulances were posted there continuously.
Until July 1917 burials had been made in the Military Cemetery, but the arrival of the 32nd, 3rd Australian and 44th Casualty Clearing Stations in preparation for the new Allied offensive launched that month made it necessary to open the New Military Cemetery, followed in August by the New Military Cemetery No 3.
Brandhoek New Military Cemetery contains 530 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 28 German war graves. The burials are of July and August 1917 and among them is the grave of Captain Noel Chavasse, VC and Bar, MC, one of only three men who have won the Victoria Cross twice.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.
His death was reported in the Liverpool Evening Express on the first anniversary of his death on Wednesday 07th August 1918;
SWIFT - In sad but loving memory of Private R. Swift, K.L.R., who died of wounds Aug. 5, 1917, dearly beloved son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. McKinnon. (To memory ever dear.) - 10, Esk-street, Liverpool.
SWIFT - In sad but loving memory of Private R. Swift, K.L.R., who died of wounds Aug. 5, 1917.
(Thy will be done. Ever remembered by Will and Mary.) - 9, Brunswick-parade, Waterloo.
His Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £2 13s 11d, £3 War Gratuity and Pension 22/11 pw went to his widow Agnes, increased to 35/3 in 1919.
Probate was granted to his wife Agnes on 07th February 1918.
SWIFT Robert of 9 Brunswick-parade Waterloo near Liverpool, Private 5th battalion K.L.R. died 5 August 1917 in France Administration Liverpool 7 February to Agnes Swift widow. Effects £216 19s. 6d.
His widow, Agnes, re-married in 1922 to Richard Kay.
Robert is commemorated on the Waterloo with Seaforth Memorial.
On the 1921 Census at Brunswick Parade, Waterloo, his widow, Agnes, is aged 34 with Robert, aged 10 and Agnes, aged 8.
She re-married in 1922 to Richard Kay at Christ Church Waterloo.
On the 1939 Register they are living at 20 Scott Road, Morecambe with their son William Cowell Kay (born in 1923) and Mary I.Cowell( born in1928). Agnes, date of birth 06th April 1887, died, aged 89, in 1977.
Grateful thanks are extended to users HuisDeanB and Istigar on Ancestry who gave kind permission for the use of the photograph of Robert.
We currently have no further information on Robert Swift, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
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