Lance Corporal 6388 Charles Hicks Swann

Died of Wounds on Monday, 15th March 1915, age 36.
Buried in Grave III. D. 13. at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Pas De Calais, France.

3rd Bn., Worcestershire Regiment. 7th Brigade of 3rd Division.

Son of Charles Hicks Swann, and Sarah Ann Swann, of 20, Newhall St., Prince's End, Tipton, Staffs.
Born: Sedgley, Enlisted: Dudley, Resident: Upper Gornal.

First landed France & Flanders, 12th September 1914.
Medal entitlement: 1914 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives survived and transcribed.

Commemorated on the Tipton Library, and St. John's memorials.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/45965/

Genealogical Data

1901 Census
7 Eve Lane, Sedgley, Staffs.
Charles H Swann (47, Fire Brick Maker, born Quarry Bank), his wife Sarah (48, born Stourbridge), and their 8 children: Charles H. (21, Bricklayer's Labourer, born Sedgley), Emma (20, born Sedgley), Frances (17, Coal Miner, born Sedgley), Maurice J. (16, Fender Maker, born Sedgley), Mary A. (14, born Sedgley), William (12, born Sedgley), Leonard (9, born Sedgley), and Dorothy (6, born Sedgley).

1911 Census
5 Church View, Sandal, Nr Wakefield, Yorkshire.
Charles Hicks Swann (31, General Labourer, born Sedgley) who was boarding with Mr and Mrs Turbill.
His father and family were living at 10 Back of 52, George Street, Ettingshall, Wolverhampton.

Personal Data

On 12th March, the 3rd Worcesters were to attack and consolidate Spanbroek Mill, as a prelude to further advances. This was to have commenced at 8.40am, but the dense white fog caused its postponement. The attackers lay out in shallow trenches, the Germans were well aware of the impending attack so their own artillery was very active, and more accurate when the fog lifted; casualties were heavy. Two companies of the 3rd Worcesters attacked at 4.10pm, and despite yet more losses they broke though the wire and managed to secure a short length of trench. Naturally the Germans looked to take this back, and attacked the Worcesters on both flanks with bomb and bayonet. The Worcesters stoutly defended this small gain until dusk, reinforcement was impossible and only evacuation could save them from annihilation. Casualties were taken back, and the remaining men retraced their steps back to the British lines.

This small action, which resulted in no gains, was significant for the 3rd Worcesters with 9 Officers and 77 men losing their lives on the day; more would die from their wounds in subsequent days.

Charles Swann's 'Soldier's Papers' record that he was "Wounded in action 12th March at Lindenhoek", this being the general name for the Spanbroek area. We cannot know the details of when he received his wounds, but can be fairly sure that it was from artillery fire. He would have been moved through the Casualty Clearing system, and reached Boulogne. It is recorded that he died at 2.00am on 15th March at No. 13 Stationary Hospital (Boulogne) from the effects of shrapnel wounds and leg fracture (femur). Charles was buried at Boulogne Eastern cemetery. He had continuous service of 13 years 283 days with the Regular Army and Reserves to his death in March 1915.

After Charles' death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £8/7/1d (8 pounds, 7 shillings and 1 penny); this was paid in July 1915 to his parents, Charles and Sarah Swann, who were joint-executors. His War Gratuity was £5/0/0d (5 pounds exactly), this was paid to his father in October 1919. The value of the War Gratuity confirms that Charles had enlisted in August 1914.

Charles’ father, also Charles Hicks Swann, was awarded a Dependant’s Pension of 5/0d (5 shillings) per week effective from 26th April 1916. His address was given as 30 Newhall St., Prince's End, Tipton. It was stated that for Charles senior, his “capacity to earn impaired to extent of one half.”

Action resulting in his death

On 12th March, the 3rd Worcesters were to attack and consolidate Spanbroek Mill, as a prelude to further advances. This was to have commenced at 8.40am, but the dense white fog caused its postponement. The attackers lay out in shallow trenches, the Germans were well aware of the impending attack so their own artillery was very active, and more accurate when the fog lifted; casualties were heavy. Two companies of the 3rd Worcesters attacked at 4.10pm, and despite yet more losses they broke though the wire and managed to secure a short length of trench. Naturally the Germans looked to take this back, and attacked the Worcesters on both flanks with bomb and bayonet. The Worcesters stoutly defended this small gain until dusk, reinforcement was impossible and only evacuation could save them from annihilation. Casualties were taken back, and the remaining men retraced their steps back to the British lines.

This small action, which resulted in no gains, was significant for the 3rd Worcesters with 9 Officers and 77 men losing their lives on the day; more would die from their wounds in subsequent days.

Charles Swann's 'Soldier's Papers' record that he was "Wounded in action 12th March at Lindenhoek", this being the general name for the Spanbroek area. We cannot know the details of when he received his wounds, but can be fairly sure that it was from artillery fire. He would have been moved through the Casualty Clearing system, and reached Boulogne. It is recorded that he died at 2.00am on 15th March at No. 13 Stationary Hospital (Boulogne) from the effects of shrapnel wounds and leg fracture (femur). Charles was buried at Boulogne Eastern cemetery. He had continuous service of 13 years 283 days with the Regular Army and Reserves to his death in March 1915.

Newspaper Cuttings

Tipton Herald 13th March 1915
PRIMROSE LEAGUE PARCELS.
Miss Grace Round, Dame President of the Tipton Habitation of the Primrose League, is constantly receiving letters from Tipton soldiers and others expressing their thanks for the receipt of parcels of clothing sent by the League.
Lance-Corporal C. Swann, of the 3rd Worcesters, with the British Expeditionary Forces, writes: "I thank you and the ladies of the Primrose League for the parcel of body belt and mitts, which are a very useful gift, as the weather is still very wet and cold. It is very difficult to keep oneself warm in trenches that are none too dry. I don't know how the Germans go on, for those I have seen captured, although well up in flesh look very miserable indeed for the want of a few home comforts."