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CSM. Alfred Bailey Swallow
British Army 470th Field Coy. Royal Engineers
from:46 Houghton Rd., Grantham
(d.21st Mar 1918)
Alfred Swallow was born in 1881 (April- June) at Grantham to William Swallow of Barrowby and Annie Swallow (nee Robinson) of Lincoln. At the time of the census of 1891, Alfred Bailey Swallow was age 9 years; Father William, age 50, was a wheelwright; and they were living at 16, Mile House Barrowby. Alfred Bailey Swallow married Ethel Martha Keal (born 1880 in Grantham) in 1907 (January- March) in Grantham. The union produced one child, Alfred Claud Swallow, born 1908 (July- September) in Grantham. At the time of the Census of 1911, Alfred's wife Ethel Martha Swallow, age 31, was living with their child Alfred Claud Swallow, age 3 years, and her younger brother Albert Maaman Keal, age 29, at 70, Grantley Street, Grantham. Alfred Bailey Swallow, a regular soldier, was killed in action 21st March 1918. Probate: Alfred Bailey Swallow of 46, Houghton Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, a Company Sergeant Major in the Royal Engineers, died 21st March 1918 in France, administration Lincoln 5th November 1918 to Ethel Martha Swallow effects £ 191- 10s 5d. Son of the late Frederick William and Annie Swallow, of Barrow by Mill, Grantham; husband of Ethel Martha Swallow, of 46, Houghton Rd., Grantham. In March 1977, Ethel Martha Swallow died at age 97 in Grantham. (Researchers: Roy G Stedman and C J Anderson.)
He was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal; King George's Delhi Durbar Medal. Alfred is remembered on memorials at Grantham St John Spittlegate, Grantham St. Wulfrum, and Barrowby All Saints.
From the Grantham Journal, 4 May 1918: 'Mrs. Swallow, of 46 Houghton Road, Grantham, has been officially informed that her husband, Alfred Bailey Swallow, 2763, C.S.M. of a Field Company, R.E., has been missing since March 21st, and she will be glad to receive any information from his comrades concerning him. C.S.M. Swallow is the youngest son of the late Mr. W. F. Swallow, Barrowby. His friends believe he is a prisoner of war. He left Grantham as recently as March 14th after being home on fourteen days leave. He joined the Royal Engineers nineteen years ago, and has seen considerable foreign service. He was present throughout the Delhi Durbar, and received the Long Service Medal. His service in France covers two years, eight months'.
From the Grantham Journal, 11th January 1919: 'Mrs. Swallow, 46, Houghton Road, would be extremely grateful for any information concerning her husband C.S.M. A.B. Swallow, 470th Field Company, R.E, who went into action on the 21st March 1918. Since then he has not been heard of. It is supposed that he was taken prisoner. Unwounded, but no definite news can be obtained'.
From the Grantham Journal, 3rd May 1919: 'We much regret to announce that Co.-Sgt-Major Albert Bailey Swallow, 470th Field Company, R.E., reported missing on March 21st last year, has now been officially notified as dead. The youngest son of the late Mr. W. F. Swallow of Barrowby, the deceased was well known in the town, and his numerous friends will receive the sad news of his death with much sympathy. C.S.M. Swallow was a soldier by profession, and by conduct he was typical of all that a good soldier should be. He enlisted in the Engineers some twenty years ago, and had seen considerable foreign service, having served in Singapore, Aden and India. He was present on the occasion of the Delhi Durbar, for which he received a special medal, and he was also the holder of the Long Service Medal. On March 14th, last year he returned to military duties, after fourteen days' leave, and seven days later, whilst gallantly assisting to repel the German onslaught, he was severely wounded. That fact was not known at the time to his friends, who presumed that he had been taken prisoner, and nothing was heard of him until last November, when his wife was informed by a soldier returned from active service that her husband was badly wounded on March 21st, and left on the field. This has now been confirmed in a letter written by his commanding officer, Major L. Robinson. He writes "When I was at home, I saw one of my officers (Lieut. Hulse), who was taken prisoner on March 21st, and he told me that your husband was very badly wounded in the head, and they had to leave him when the Germans drove them back, and eventually captured them. There seemed no hope for your husband, and it appeared to be only a few minutes before he would pass away. I am deeply sorry to have to give you this news after all this time of waiting. Lieut. Hulse says your husband was simply magnificent, and cheery and cool during the whole fight, until he was hit. After he was hit, and the ammunition was running out, he pointed to his own belt for them to take his. Nothing I can say can do much to comfort you, I am afraid, but he has left a legacy of valour and uprightness to his children. To me he was invaluable help at all times. My deepest sympathies are with you in your great loss". It was only on Sunday last that Mrs. Swallow received official news of her husband’s death. C.S.M. Swallow, who was thirty seven years of age, married the eldest daughter of the late Mr. Harry Keal, and his widow and two children reside at 45 Houghton Road, Grantham'.
