Edward Swain was born in Southall (Middlesex) and was known to family and friends as Ted. He joined the Army at the outbreak of war and served in the 12th Bn Royal Fusiliers.

The only information the family has on Ted's death was that given by a friend of his (name now unknown) who was with him when he was hit in the head, in or close to Sanctuary Wood by the Menin Road.

'They were coming out of the line when Ted was hit in the face. He was taken to a CCS but was either dead on arrival or died shortly after arriving'.
He was killed on the 2nd February 1916 and is buried in Menin Road South Military Cemetery, grave I. F. 11

William George Swain was Ted's younger brother, he joined up under age (16 years in 1914) just after Ted. Was known to family and friends as Fat.
He went to France (there is confusion as to his regiment because the records were destroyed when his illegal enlistment came to light) sometime in 1915. Whilst on a wiring party he was wounded in the foot and gassed. He was sent the UK to his house where a Doctor would treat him each day for gas inhalation. His grandmother obtained his discharge by producing his Birth Certificate.

He was called up again when he was 18 years. When at home on leave, prior to going to the Front, he talked about deserting. Alice, his sister (my father's mum) persuaded him and his mate to go to the Front and saw them off at the railway station, she was the last family member to see him.

He was reported missing on or after 21 March 1918 whilst in the 2nd Bedfordshire Regt near St Quentin in France. The family history is that his parents would search the hospitals in London and the south of the UK for him.
I checked with the CWGC in 1998 and found that he had a grave and that the Germans (most probably) had buried him on the 21st March 1918 and that he was killed on that day. His body was exhumed in 1919 and taken to Chapelle British Cemetery, Holnon, plot IV Row A Grave 14.

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