Private
| Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) | 204507 | 16th Battalion |
| Labour Corps | 607846 | 153 POW Coy |
Biography
John was born in Cromford in 1880, the son of Samuel and Mary Ann Swift. He attested at Derby in December 1915, aged thirty-five, an unmarried ganister miner living at Church Terrace in Fritchley. In October 1917 he was late back by a few hours from his embarkation leave and was punished by losing two days’ pay. A few days later he entered France. In July 1918 he transferred to the Labour Corps and was posted to 153 POW Coy. He was eventually discharged in February 1919.
Medal Roll Index Card
He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
Army Service Record
He attested 08/12/15 at Derby, aged 35 years 6 month, an unmarried ganister miner living at Church Terrace, Fritchley. He was C of E; his height was 5ft 4in, weight 123lb and the next of kin was his father Samuel Swift of Fritchley.
11/10/17 To Calais
10/07/18
Transferred to Labour Corp and posted to 153 POW Coy allocated new number 607846, present rates of pay
07/10/18 to 21/10/18
Leave
31/01/19 to UK for discharge on 26/02/19
1891: Fritchley
| Forename | Surname | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where born |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samuel | Swift | Head | 45 | General labourer | Cromford |
| Ann | Swift | wife | 40 | Duffield | |
| Edward | Swift | son | 17 | Coal miner | Duffield |
| Anne E | Swift | daughter | 14 | Scholar | Cromford |
| John W | Swift | son | 10 | Scholar | Cromford |
| Harriet | Swift | nurse child | 5 | Crich |
RG12 piece 2746 folio 61 page 15
1901: Fritchley
| Forename | Surname | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where born |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samuel | Swift | Head | 55 | Lime burner | Cromford |
| Ann | Swift | wife | 50 | Duffield | |
| Elizabeth | Swift | daughter | 24 | Factory hand cotton | Cromford |
| John | Swift | son | 20 | Banksman colliery | Cromford |
RG13 piece 3231 folio 11 page 13
1911: Fritchley
| Forename | Surname | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where born |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samuel | Swift | Head | 65 | Farm labourer | Cromford |
| Mary Ann | Swift | wife | 63 | Duffield | |
| John William | Swift | son | 29 | Collier | Cromford |
| Joseph | Curzon | boarder | 32 | Wire worker | Crich |
| Elizabeth | Curzon | wife | 34 | Crich |
RG14PN20983 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED12 SN172
1939 Register: Belper Poor Law Institution
John W Swift (single) b.14 June 1880; banksman (above) coal mine