Biography of Private Harry Swarbrick (9961)
1st Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Regiment
Died 11th June 1917

Mother

• Name: Edith (Surname unkown)
• DOB: 1868
• Place Of Birth: Northampton, Northamptonshire, England
• Marriage: Unknown

• None found

Marriage

• No marriage for Harry has been found and because of his age we can assume that he never had the opportunity to marry.

Newspaper Mentions

• Grantham Journal Saturday 16th June 1917
  DEATH OF A VETERAN SOLDIER – We record this week the death of Pte. Harry Swarbrick, attached to the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. Pte. Swarbrick was a regular soldier being stationed in Ireland when war was declared, and whilst there he acted as orderly to Captain Acland. Pte Swarbrick went through the Mons engagement without being wounded, but was unfortunately gassed at the battle of Hill 60. He was invalided home and for several months was in hospital at Lewisham and Brompton, after which he was discharges from the Army and came to reside with his parents at West Street, Bourne. When well enough he went to the Hon. Mrs Acland’s residence, there performing any little service he was able. A fortnight ago he caught a chill and he succumbed on Monday morning. The funeral took place yesterday at Bourne Cemetery and was attended by members of the Volunteer Force.

• The Stamford and Rutland News Wednesday 20th June 1917
  A WARRIOR’S DEATH
  The death has occurred of Private Harry Swarbrick, son of Mr & Mrs Swarbrick of West Street, Bourne. The departed hero went through the whole of the Mons engagement without being wounded, but was gassed at the battle of Hill 60. He was invalided home and was several months in hospital, but was afterwards deicharged from the Army and went to reside with his parents. He had kept to his room since March and a fortnight ago caught a chill. The funeral was attended by members of the Volunteer Force

• Grantham Journal Saturday 23rd June 1917
  MILITARY FUNERAL – The funeral of Pte. Swarbrick took place at Bourne Cemetery on Friday afternoon, with full military honours. The coffin was borne by six members of the C. Co. Lincs. Volunteers.  Ptes. J. J. W. Nichols, C, H. M. Baster, F. D. Fromant, G. Benton, G. Stafford, and J. C. Story.  Twelve other members, under command of Captain Mays, acted as the firing party.  The service was conducted by the Rev. H. G. Drake, Baptist Minister, and at the conclusion of the committal service, three volleys were fired and the last post sounded by two buglers attached to the M.G.C.  Patients from Bourne V.A.D. Hospital attended the funeral.  The business places were closed, and the blinds of the private houses were drawn as the cortege passed through the town.  Wreaths were sent from his faithful Sweetheart Aggie; Mother, Dad and Aunt Clara;  Officers and N.C.O’s of No 9. Platoon, C. Co. 2nd Volunteer Battalion Lincs. Regt.  Bourne; the men of No. 9 Platoon, C. Co.: Mr, and Mrs Rayner & Family:  Jack Lunn: Nellie: Mr and Mrs Robert Lambert and Family

Military Records

Medals

• The British Medal
  The Victory Medal
  The 14 Sta
• Silver war badge 61700

Memorials

• UK:
• Bourne, Bourne War Memorial in the Memorial Gardens

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
• In memory of Private Harry Swarbrick, 9961, 1st Bn., Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Regiment who died on 11 June 1917 Age 23
• Remembered with honour, Bourne Cemetery

© Picture taken by South Lincolnshire War Memorials

Military Service Timeline

• Enlisted in Melton Mowbray on the 9th July 1912 
• In Bodmin 13th July 1912 to 31st October 1912 Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry
• Ex Force France 13th August 1914 to 28th July 1915
• Discharged no longer physically fit for war service 14th September 1915

• This is ongoing research and will be posted when completed

Sources

• WW1 Soldier’s Records (www.ancestry.co.uk)
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• British Newspaper Archive.