Rifleman R/3163 Arthur Swadkins

Killed in Action on Thursday, 19th August 1915, age 22.
Buried in Grave I. G. 1. at Royal Irish Rifles Graveyard, Laventie, Pas De Calais, France.

11th Bn., Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own). 59th Brigade of 20th Division.

Only Son of Herbert and Rebecca Swadkins, of 5, Church Yard Row, Tipton, Staffs.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: West Bromwich, Resident: Tipton.

First landed France & Flanders, 21st July 1915.
Medal entitlement: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the Tipton Library Memorial.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/597822/

Genealogical Data

1901 Census
5 Churchyard Row, Tipton, Staffs.
Herbert Swadkins (38, Widower, Grate Fitter, born Birmingham), and his 3 children: Clara (10, born Tipton), Arthur (7, born Tipton), and Ada (5, born Tipton).

1911 Census
5 Churchyard Row, Tipton, Staffs.
Herbert Swadkins (48, Widower, Grate Fitter, born Birmingham), and 2 of his 4 surviving children of 5: Arthur (17, Iron Dresser, born Tipton), and Ada (15, born Tipton).

Personal Data

After Arthur's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £1/16/4d (1 pounds, 16 shillings and 4 pence); this was paid to his father, Herbert, in February 1916. His War Gratuity was £3/0/0d (3 pounds exactly), this was also paid to his father, Herbert, in August 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Arthur had enlisted within the 12 months prior to his death.

A Pension Card relating to a Dependant's Pension exists in the name of Arthur's father, Mr Herbert Swadkins of 5 Churchyard Road, Tipton. It suggests that a Gratuity rather than a Pension was paid, but the value of the Gratuity is not recorded.

Action resulting in his death

The 11th Battalion Rifle Brigade landed in France in July 1915, and was concentrated near Saint-Omer by the 26th July. They gained their first trench experience near Fleurbaix, and had only been in the trenches for a matter of days by the time Arthur Swadkins was killed on 19th August 1915, whilst fetching water. He is buried in Royal Irish Rifles Graveyard, Laventie.

Newspaper Cuttings

Tipton Herald October 9th 1915
TIPTON MAN KILLED IN ACTION
Mr H. Swadkins of Churchyard Road, Tipton, has received official intimation of the death of his only son, Arthur Swadkins, who was killed in action. The deceased soldier joined the King's Royal Rifles in September 1914. He was 21 years old, and before joining the colours was employed at Charles Lathes and Co., Ironfounders, Summerhill, Tipton.
The deceased soldier's platoon officer, writing to Mr Swadkins, says:- "Your son died a soldier's death while performing his duty. At the time of his death he was on water fatigue duty. He had just filled his jar at the pump and was about to start back when he was struck down by a bullet. The doctor said that death was instantaneous, and that your son suffered no pain. As a rifleman your son was all that a rifleman should be."