1919 ABSENT VOTERS LIST - PRESTON
SWARBRICKS - FURTHER DETAILS:
SWARBRICK, Joseph 4/38590 Medal Index Card: Swarbrick Joseph, RAMC/10 G. Hospital, Private, 6886 7/Hars [Hussars] 38590 Corps of DRO [Dragoons] D/33679 King’s Dragoon Guards, Private, ditto Victory medal British medal 1914 Star B.W. [illegible] dup sub R.A.M.C. / 101 B75 566Y Issued from fr.791 Remarks: discharged - unfit 13th April 1917 Theatre of war: [blank] Date of entry therein: 22nd August 1914 SWB List RAMC 158 Extract from WO 329/3230 6886 Private Swarbrick, Joseph discharged from RAMC Badge number: 156939 Enlisted: 7th February 1913 Discharged: 13th April 1917 Sickness – para 392 xvi King’s Regulations “no longer physically fit for war service” No age given – had served overseas Extract from the Dragoon Guards Medal Roll [CC/103B11 page 791]: D/33679 Pte Swarbrick, Joseph – previously: 6886 RAMC Pte [10th General Hospital] & 38590 7th Hussars Discharged: term of engagement 23rd April 1920 Dated Canterbury 20th December 1920 Extract from WO 100/11/467 1st Dragoon Guards [King's] Corp - Medal Roll "India General Service Medal 1908" with clasp inscribed "Afghanistan North West Frontier 1919" D/33679 Pte. Swarbrick J. K.D.Gds. In possession of the Indian Medal of 1908 - NO Entitled to Clasp "Afghanistan North West Frontier 1919" - YES Discharged 23.4.20 Dated Edinburgh 28.2.22 The 1914 Star was awarded for his service with the RAMC; the Victory and British medals have reference numbers which relate to the Dragoon Guards. He was discharged at the end of his term of engagement from the Dragoon Guards on 23rd April 1920 [WO 329/7] Information from WO 363 S2919 Short Service Attestation 6886 Joseph Swarbrick R. A. M. Corps [BUT Joseph initially attested for the 3rd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers Special Reserve - see Military History Sheet below] Born Parish of St Ignatius, Preston Age 18 years 1 month* Trade: Cotton reacher [at Messrs Timms, Brookfield Mills Preston] Previous Service: 3rd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers [S R - Special Reserve] Signed 14th September 1912 Took the oath 7th February 1913 at Preston [* Joseph was born on 4th November 1895 - so he was actually 17 years and 3 months old when he took the oath] Father: George, stepmother: Elizabeth of 22, Essex Street Preston Height 5ft 4 inches Weight 106 lbs Girth 33 inches Eyes brown Hair light brown Large purple birthmark left lumber region Scar left side of nose Roman Catholic Passed fit on 7th February 1913 at Preston Appointed to Royal Army Medical Corps on 7th February 1913 at Preston Lancashire Fusiliers 3rd Unit attested and posted as Private 14-9-12 until 10-1-13 146 days Discharged in consequence of having joined Regular Army Discharge approved 6th February 1913 Station: Bury Military History Sheet 4342 Joseph Swarbrick 3rd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers Home 14th September 1912 to 6th February 1913 Army School Certificate of Education: 3rd Class 23rd November 1912 whilst serving in 3rd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers School of Instruction RMC Aldershot – 19th March 1913 Appointed Nursing Section – 18th October 1915 To Officer commanding 3rd Battalion Lancashire Regiment Please note that 4342 Private J. Swarbrick of the Battalion under your command was attested on 7th February 1913 and finally approved on 7th February 1913 for the Royal Army Medical Corps Regiment and sent to join his new Corps stationed at Aldershot. Dated 7-2-13 Statement of the Services of 6886 Joseph Swarbrick Service towards limited engagement reckons from 7th February 1913 Joined at Aldershot on 10th February 1913 RAMC – attested – Private – 7th February 1913 Granted 5th Rate Corps Pay – 19th May 1913 Granted 4th Rate Corps Pay [6d] – 18th November 1915 Orderly RAMC – discharged – no longer physically fit for war service Para 392 xvi KR – authority P.M.B. Warrington on 23rd March 1917 – 13th April 1917 Total service: 4 years 66 days Statement of the Services of 6886 Joseph Swarbrick Service towards engagement reckons from 7th February 1913 Joined at Aldershot on 10th February 1913 R.A.M.C. attested – private – 7th February 1913 Granted 5 rate Corps pay 19th May 1913 Granted 4 rate Corps pay 18th November 1915 - Orderly Conduct Sheet 1913 6886 Joseph Swarbrick Joined at Aldershot on 10th February 1913 Age on enlistment: 18 years 5 months Trade: Cotton reacher Religion Roman Catholic Period of 3 years with the Colours and 9 years in the Reserve Aldershot May 12th Overstaying his pass from 6pm until 2.50 pm 13th May 1913 [20 hours and 50 minutes] Witness: Sgt Russell Punishment 7 day’s CB awarded by Capt Reed [also forfeits 2 day’s pay] 15th December Offences: 1.Not complying with an order given by a NCO Witness [illegible] 16th December 2. Absent from duty from 6.30 am to 6.45 am [15 min] & 8 am to 8.15 am [15 min] Punishment 5 day’s CB NURSING SECTION R.A.M.C. REGISTER OF TRAINING AND MATRON’S SUMMARY OF SISTERS’ REPORTS FOR THE YEAR 1913 [To be attached to the Orderly’s personal documents] No. 6886 Private 3rd Class Orderly J Swarbrick R.A.M.C. 1st quarter 1913 – V. good 2nd quarter 1913 – V. good Campaigns: B. E. F. [France] 1914 – 15 -16 Home 7th February 1913 to 21st August 1914 British Expeditionary Force 22nd August 1914 to 13th August 1916 Home 14th August 1916 to 13th April 1917 Conduct Sheet 6886 Joseph Swarbrick 7 Corps RAMC In the field 23-9-14 Offences: 1. Quitting fatigues without permission 2. Not complying with an order Witness: ASM Crawley and Cpl Dobson Punishment 3 extra guards awarded 24-9-14 by Major Thomson. Note dated 7-10-1915 gives information about the forwarding of a parcel to Joseph Swarbrick, then serving at No. 10 General Hospital, Rouen. Additional notes taken from service record: Casualty Form – Active Service 10 General Hospital Regiment or Corps: R. A. M. C. 6886 Private Joseph Swarbrick Enlisted: 7th February 1913 Terms of Service: 3 + 9 Years Service reckons from: 7th February 1913 Qualification: Nursing 9th April 1915 from O/C 10th General Hospital – Embarked – Southampton 21st August 1914 Disembarked: Harve 22nd August 1914 18th November 1915 from R.O. – Appointed to Nursing Section – in the field – 18th October 1915 Ditto – ditto – Advanced to Youths [?] rate Corps Pay – in the field – 18th November 1915 29th April 1916 from 10th General Hospital Leave & [illegible] all from 24/4/16 – 30/4/16 7 days – in the field – 24th April 1916 6th May 1916 from BDMS – joined office of BDMS – Rouen – 4th May 1916 13th August 1916 from H Ship St Andrew – Joined H Ship St Andrew – Rouen – 13th August 1916 Admitted Mil. H. Endell Street – 21st October 1916 MEDICAL HISTORY of Swarbrick, Pte Joseph Examined on 23rd day of October 1916 at Military Hospital, Endell Street, W.C. Declared age: 22 years Approved by E Hamilton-Browne [Illegible rank] Medical officer Joined on enlistment: R. A. M. C. regimental number: 6886 Transferred to: Hospital Ship “St Andrew” Became non-effective by discharge – no longer physically fit for war service Para 392 [xvi] KR on 13th day of April 1917 Signed: B Shires – Captain Military Hospital – Endell Street W. C. Admitted: 21st October 1916 Discharged: 23rd October 1916 143 Neurasthenia – 3 days in hospital – Shell Shock in France – now neurasthenic – worrying needlessly about trifles – inclined to be melancholic – transferred to King’s College Hospital E Hamilton-Browne 4th London General Hospital R & MGT Admitted: 24th October 1916 Discharged: 22nd November 1916 Neurasthenia – 29 days in hospital – On admission – general neurasthenic symptoms: stammers [?] very depressed & apprehensive. Treatment in neurological section. Transferred to Springfield Convalescent Home [Illegible signature] Captain R. A. M. C. [T] Registrar – for Major 4th London General Hospital Description at time of discharge: Age 21 years and 7 months Height 5 feet and 7 inches Chest measurement: 35 inches + 4 inches expanded Complexion: fair Eyes: grey Hair: light brown Trade: cotton reacher Intended place of residence: 172, St Pauls Road, Preston. Large purple birthmark on left lumber region - scar on cheek Discharged as “being no longer physically fit for War service Para 393 [XVI] King’s Regulations” He had been serving on the Hospital ship St Andrew. He had suffered from shell shock whilst serving in France. He was admitted to hospital on the 22nd October 1916 suffering from [illegible word] disease. He was then transferred to the Lord Derby War Hospital on the 9th December 1916, the cause being “Confusional Insanity”. He was then recommended for discharge as being permanently unfit. He was originally awarded a pension of 13/9 for 26 weeks, expiring on the 16th April 1918; this was then extended for another 9 weeks up until the 18th June 1918. Military character: very good - “honest, sober, industrious, reliable and trustworthy. Trained in first aid, nursing and ambulance duties.” Joseph had served 4 years and 66 days up to and including the day of his discharge: 13th April 1917. He had originally enlisted in the Territorials - 3rd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers - on the 7th February 1913 for a period of 3 + 9 years. He stated then that he was a parishioner of St Ignatius’ Catholic Church, Preston. He passed the Army Certificate of Education 3rd class on the 23rd November 1912. He attended the School of Instruction RAMC at Aldershot on the 19th May 1913. He was appointed to the Nursing Section on the 18th October 1915. Character - very good Disability - Confusional insanity Incapacity ½ for six months Address 172, St Paul’s Road, Preston Ex L’ Derby War H Documents to Chelsea 23-3-17 RAMC Discharged No longer physically fit for war service Para 392 [xvi] Warrington 23-3-17 “… has been sent to his home on warrant to await instructions as to his final discharge; he has been given £1 [one pound] advance and a suit of plain clothes. He proceeded on 28/3/1917 to 172. St Paul’s Road, Preston” 4-4-1917 RAMC Depot Pte J. Swarbrick 6886 weekly pension of 13/9 for 26 weeks Silver War Badge & Certificate No. 156939 Issued on 17th April 1917 to Joseph Swarbrick in respect of his services as a soldier RAMC Address: 172, St Paul’s Road, Preston Renewals &c., which have taken place since Discharge. Date of award: 3rd October 1917 – Rate of Pension or Weekly Allowance: 13/9 – Duration of Pension or Allowance: 26 weeks Remarks: Ex: 16. 4. 18 [No date] Rate of Pension or Weekly Allowance: 13/9 – Duration of Pension or Allowance: 9 weeks – Pending receipt of Med. Report Remarks: Ex: 18. 6. 18 Date of award: 26th October 1918 – Duration of Pension or Allowance: N. Q. for further award Renewal or Revision of Award Swarbrick Joseph R. A. M. C. Code No. 14546 Matter now submitted: Report of Medical Board 4th August 1918 Prevents [?] Nil Despite his medical discharge Joseph appears to have recovered; he went before a Medical Board in August 1918 and seems to have received no further pension after 26th October 1918. He then appears to have re-enlisted in the Army and to have served in the 7th Hussars and then the King’s Dragoon Guards, seeing service in Afghanistan before his final discharge in April 1920. In October 1918 the King's Dragoon Guards were stationed at Meerut, India. On 2nd May 1919 the Afghan Army siezed some wells just over the boarder with India. They were warned to withdraw, but instead chose to re-enforce the position and to move up more regular troops to the boarder area. In response, on the 6th May, the King's Dragoon Guards [17 officers and 360 other ranks] were sent up the Grand Trunk Road and arrived at Peshawar early on the morning of 8th May. At 1.30 pm they seized the gates of the city and secured the area, arresting some of the leading Afghans. On the 11th May, as part of the 1st Cavalry Brigade, they were ordered to advance to the frontier. By the 13th they were in Dakka, a village on the Afghan side of the border, north-west of the Khyber Pass. The village had been abandoned by the Afghans after it had been bombed by the RAF. On 16th May three squadrons of the Dragoons started to reconnoitre as the British forces moved further into Afghanistan. The Dragoons acted as an advance guard as the infantry occupied the territory. Eventually, near Girdi, the Afghans, supported by machine guns and artillery, engaged the British force and attempted to outflank it on the left. The British began to retreat, the Dragoons giving cover and also evacuating the wounded on horseback. As the fight moved onto the open plain "B" and "C" squadrons of the Dragoons charged the oncoming Afghans, scattering them and causing heavy casualties. This gave time for the infantry to complete their withdrawal to Dakka. On the following day, 17th May, more British infantry and artillery arrived and the Afghans were pushed back off the heights surrounding Dakka. On subsequent days the Dragoons were out on more or less constant patrols, engaging the enemy as and when they found them. Gradually things quietened down and a treaty was signed on 8th August. The Dragoons withdrew back to Risalpur, their normal station, on 25th August 1919. It is not known how active a part Joseph played in these events, but he was a soldier in the Dragoon Guards, so he was there, and the records show that he was awarded the Afghanistan North West Frontier Medal 1919; so, presumably, he saw action. Joseph Swarbrick was born on 4th November 1895 in Preston, the son of George and Agnes Ellen [Kellet] Swarbrick. George Swarbrick had married Agnes Ellen Kellett in 1895, but the marriage does not seem to have lasted. In 1901 George was still living with his father Joseph and recorded as a married man. His son Joseph was with them, entered as Joseph’s Grandson. There is a record of the death in Preston Workhouse of an Agnes Ellen Swarbrick aged 36 registered in the June quarter of 1910 in Preston which is that of Joseph’s mother. In 1902 Joseph was registered as a pupil at St Ignatius' Catholic School, his father's address was given as 172, St Paul's Road. In 1911 he was living with his widowed father at his uncle’s house, 172, St Paul’s Road, and working as a cotton reacher in a cotton mill. He enlisted initially in the 3rd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers on 7th February 1913. The 3rd Battalion was a Special Reserve unit, similar to the Territorials, part-time soldiers who would be called up immediately in the event of a war. Joseph clearly enjoyed army life, despite his experiences, and so transferred to a regular army unit - the Royal Army Medical Corps, with whom he served until he was invalided out in April 1917. He then re-enlisted with the Dragoons. |
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