Orders, Decorations and Medals

Family group to Brothers:

Three: Second Lieutenant C. F. Sworder, 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, late H.A.C., killed in action in July 1916

1914-15 Star (2860 Pte., H.A.C.); British War and Victory Medals (2.Lieut.)

Pair: Private J. L. Sworder, 2nd Battalion, The Honourable Artillery Corps, killed in action in March 1917

British War and Victory Medals (9098 Pte., H.A.C.-Inf.) together with two small lockets, one containing photographs of the two brothers, the second containing photographs of their mother extremely fine (7) £500-550

Charles Frederick Sworder was born at Claygate, Surrey, on 14 December 1895, son of William and Edith Sworder. He was educated at Ipswich, and was employed in the office of Mr Henry Miller, County Surveyor. He joined the H.A.C. in January 1915 and obtained a commission in the Suffolk Regiment, as Second Lieutenent, on 21 April 1916. He proceeded to France and served with the 7th Battalion from 27 April until he was killed in action on 3 July 1916, while leading his men at Ovillers. His Company Sergeant-Major in the H.A.C. wrote “I can truthfully say I never had a better man under me, and he was a fine soldier; as a man I often wished I was like him, he was so straight and frank”. His Chaplain wrote “I was in his mess for some time and had grown very fond of him. He was such a good, sound fellow in every way, and always so kind and considerate”.

John Leslie Sworder was born at Hitchin on 21 July 1892, son of William and Edith Sworder. He went to Canada in 1911, where he worked on different farms, but returned to England on the outbreak of war. After being rejected ten times, and meanwhile joining a Remount Depot and working on munitions, he joined the H.A.C. in October 1916. He served in France with the 2nd Battalion from late December, and was killed in action at Ecoust St Mein, south of Croisville, on 31 March 1917, and was buried there.