Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

GIPPSLAND TIMES – Monday 20 May 1918

STRATFORD. SERGEANT SWAN.—KILLED IN ACTION.

Among the many brave boys who have enlisted from this district since the war began and nobly done their part, perhaps none was better known or more popular than the late Sergeant R. J. Swan. As a boy, Dick Swan was admired for his manly at- tributes and straightforwardness of character, which also characterized him later in the fields of sport. In football, cricket or tennis he was recognsed to be one of the best players and a generous opponent.

Enlisting as a private, he received his first training in the Maffra platoon, and very soon gained promotion, and later on he was appointed a sergeant. As in the fields of sport, he had "played the game" in the truest sense; so, also, in the stern arena of actual warfare, his sterling character manifested it- self until the last call came, when he was still found "playing the game.

“The following letter, written to the late Sergt. Swan's father, by one who was with him when he fell, bears eloquent testimony to the undaunted courage displayed by him in the crucial test, that called forth all that was best and noblest in him, and it must be a consolation to his relatives in their deep sorrow to know that he gave his life fighting for King, Home, and Country, and setting such a fine example for others to follow.

Writing from the Caulfield Hospital, Lieut. H. Fraser says:

—"To E. J. Swan.

Dear Sir,—Doubtless you will be surprised to receive this letter from me, but as your son, the late Sergt. Swan was killed whilst he was helping me, I feel I must let you know the gallant way in which he did his duty. I daresay you are well aware that your son was killed during the battle of Messines, on June 7, 1917.

I am an officer of the 10th Machine Gun Coy., and I was ordered to support the 37th Battalion during the attack, and it was during this attack that I met your son. Up to that time I never knew him, but his gallant behavior during the very short period I knew him has made such an impression on me that I shall always regard him as one of the bravest and best men I have ever met.

The particulars are as follows. - I was with the 37th Battalion when we received orders to move forward to take up a position on the second objective, which was about 1000 yards away, and strongly held by the enemy with machine guns. We pushed forward, but had only proceeded a few yards when the Germans opened a merciless fire upon us, and only a few of us were spared to reach our objective, and amongst the few was Sergt. Swan. By this time I had lost all my men, killed or wounded, and I was endeavoring to manage the machine gun myself when Sergt. Swan came to my aid, and from that time onward until he was killed we fought side by side.

I well remember his brave manner and cheerful smile when he came to my aid. At that time there was only a handful of us left, and we were engaged by the enemy with six machine guns at a range of about 100 yards. Captain Grieve, V.C., succeeded in killing the crews of two of the guns with bombs, and Sergt. Swan and myself accounted for the four others. We then went forward to take up another position, and consolidate our gains.

Shortly after taking up our new position I was wounded, and my wound was bound up by your son and Sergt. Maher, 37th Battalion. As I was not too bad, we again engaged the enemy; but shortly after wards your son was killed. He was shot through the head, and he passed away without saying a word.

My admiration for Sergt. Swan has forced me to write to you to let you know what a noble soldier he was, and how fearless and brave he proved himself to be under the most trying circumstances, and that, in the face of death, he did his duty, and won the admiration of all who saw him. I would have written long ago, only I was unable to ascertain your address until a few days ago.

Although I only knew Sergt Swan such a short time, I know well what his death meant to you, and please accept my deepest sympathy. I, too, feel as though I have lost a great treasure, and I believe our loss has been his gain. I am, yours truly, H. Fraser, Lieut. “Captain R. C. Grieve, in writing, says:—"As his company commander, I cannot express my grief at losing the men that I did that day. Men who, by their sterling qualities have helped to build our battalion up to the very high standard it holds to-day. Dick Swan was loved by all, and right from the early days at Seymour camp he established himself in the hearts of all his comrades. His excellent work was endless.

“The parents of other local lads who have fallen have received similar testimony of their valor in the face of the foe, and Stratford has indeed reason to be proud of its heroes. A lasting memorial to whom, with many other brave soldiers from the Avon Shire, will shortly be erected in the form of an avenue of honour eventually reaching from Stratford to Sale. Each tree will be planted in honour of a soldier, and will be tenderly cared for by many friends.