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 19^th Regiment – Died 5/8/1917 in Belgium age 31. 

Robert was born on 27th July 1886 in Blundellsands, the son of James Swift and his wife Elizabeth (nee Gradwell).  His parents 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.

1891 Census the Swift family were living at 51 Mersey View, Blundellsands

1901 Census 10 Blucher Street, Waterloo, Robert is  a grocers assistant living with his widowed mother and his siblings William, Richard, Austin, Ethel,  Francis, Ernest, Clara, Gertrude and Mary.

In 1908 he is on the crew list of the Cunarder RMS Saxonia

He married in St Paul's Curch, Kirkdale on 14th November 1909 to Agnes McKinnon and 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.

He was serving in the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 202865 when he died of wounds at 32 CCS on 05th August 1917 during the the Third Battle of Ypres. Soldiers effects show Robert was with the 5th Battalion KLR 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.

Liverpool Daily Post 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.

Soldiers effects and Pension to his widow Agnes.

Probate was granted to his wife Agnes on 07th February 1918 in the sum of £216.19.6d.

His widow, Agnes, re-married in 1922 to Richard Kay.

Robert is commemorated on the Waterloo with Seaforth Memorial.

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.