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Lieutenant Leonard Ruben Swain

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PERSONAL INFORMATION

Date of birth: 1891-06-25
Place of birth: Axminster Devon England
Next of kin: Mary T.Swain, mother. 25 Melbourne Avenue, West Ealing, London, England
Marital status: single
Occupation (attested): Hoisting Engineer
Religion: Church of England
Date of death: 1916-09-15
Cause of death: Killed in action
Buried: Vimy Memorial, N/A

MILITARY INFORMATION

Regimental number: 100150
Highest Rank: Lieutenant (31st Battalion)
Rank detail
  1. Lieutenant, 31st Battalion, Infantry (Army).
  2. Lieutenant (Army). 1915-07-02 ?
  3. Sergeant-Major (Army). 1915-07-02 ?
Degree of service: Europe
Survived war: no
Battle wounded/killed: Killed in the advance from Pozieres to Courcelette in the Somme offensive

RESEARCH INFORMATION

CVWM ID: No CVWM ID in our database, but try this.
CWGC ID: 1576330
LAC ID: 260142
Attestation record(s): image 1, image 2
Service file: B9448-S009
Uploader's Notes:

Son of George Swain and Mary Swain of New Westminster, British Columbia

This man had previously served in the 2nd Volunteer Middlesex Reg for 6 years.

An article about the sacrifice of Lieut. Leonard Swain appeared in the Calgary Daily Herald on October 25th, 1916, pg. 6 - "Town of Tofield has lost heavily in War". Image - Calgary Herald, 25 October 1916, pg. 6

TOWN OF TOFIELD HAS LOST HEAVILY IN WAR

Recent Fight Has Cost Lives of Many of Their Gallant Sons

TOFIELD, Oct. 23-- From Tofield, the population which scarce exceeds 500 at the present time, over 125 volunteers have enlisted in various corps of the Canadian Overseas Forces. It would hardly be expected that with such a large representation of the community with the colors that fatalities would not occur. It is therefore with regret, yet with a keen measure of pride, that it becomes necessary to chronicle the passing of some of the brave boys who have made the supreme sacrifice in the service of King and country.

Leonard Swain, a lieutenant in the 66th, Edmonton, who joined as a private and who quickly gained promotion, was recently killed in action on the Somme. He leaves a brother and sister resident in this district and a mother in England.

Uploader's Research notes:

Info from the war diary and attestation papers

[Company Sergeant-Major Army Canadian Infantry 66th Battalion Lieutenant Army Canadian Infantry 66th Battalion Lieutenant Army Canadian Infantry 31st Battalion ]

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Date added: 2004-09-04
Last modified: 2021-04-09