William Swindell (1878–1963)

Private

Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) 56919 19th Battalion
Durham Light Infantry 29778 25th Battalion
Labour Corps 166778 378 & 360 Employ Coy

Photo courtesy Betty Nadin

Photo of William Swindell

Biography
Born in 1878 at Crich, William worked as a gritstone quarryman. He attested in July 1916 at Derby, aged thirty-nine, a married stone cutter living at Thurlow Booth, Whatstandwell. He had married Lydia Eperson in September 1902 at Crich. Lydia was sister to Edwin Eperson; her sister Elizabeth Eperson married William's brother Samuel Swindell. He transferred from the Sherwood Foresters to the Durham Light Infantry in October 1916, and then was moved to the Labour Corps in April 1917. He was demobbed in March 1919.

Army Service Record
He attested 29/07/16 at Derby age 39 years 2 months, a married stone cutter living at Thurlow Booth, Whatstandwell. He was a Methodist, had defective vision, with a height 5ft 4½in, weight 146lb. The next of kin was his wife Lydia Swindell (née Eperson) whome he married at Crich on 22 Sept 1902. Their children were children Albert (18/07/03), Effie (10/02/05), Lydia ( 9/06/06), William (24 /04/08), Victor ( 3 /08/09), Agnes ( 29/11/10), Leonora (22/04/12), Eric (22/06/14). He was recorded as having good character.

27/07/16 Joined Notts & Derby
01/09/16 Attached to Res Gordon Highlanders
27/10/16 Transferred 25th Bn DLI
28/04/17 Transferred to Labour Corp
27/01/17 Posted 378th HL Employ Co
31/08/18 Posted 360 Res Employ Co
29/11/18 Posted Labour Centre
21/03/19 Demobbed

William Swindell's brothers Sam Swindell , James Swindell and Fred Swindell are also on the Roll of Honour.

With thanks to Ken Stinson

CENSUS INFORMATION

1891: Cowper Lane, Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Samuel Swindell Head 40 Banksman Hathersage
Harriet Swindell wife 34   Crich
James Swindell son 15 Banksman Crich
William Swindell son 13   Crich
Sam Swindell son 10   Ripley
Fred Swindell son 6   Ripley
Agnes Swindell daughter 2   Crich

RG12 piece 2747 folio 11 page 16

1901: Thirlow Booth

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Samuel Swindell Head 54 Carter farm Hathersage
William Swindell son 22 Gritstone quarryman Crich
Sam Swindell son 20 Gritstone quarryman Pentrich
Agnes Swindell daughter 13 At home Crich

RG13 piece 3235 folio 10 page 11

1911: Bridge Street, Belper

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Sam Swindell Head 30 Chip fish fryer Hartsey
Elizabeth Swindell wife 29 Assistant in the business Darley Dale
Elizabeth Swindell daughter 1   Crich

RG13 piece 3235 folio 10 page 11

1918 Voters List
William Swindell, Whatstandwell, absent on military service.

1939 Register: Cottage, Middle Lane, Whatstandwell
William Swindell b.28 May 1878 ; gritstone journey man heavy worker
Lydia Swindell b.13 August 1879
Lenora Swindell b.22 April 1912; linker hosiery worker