Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Thomas Roy Swann was born in Gawler, South Australia. He was aged 24 upon his enlistment and was working as a Fitter. He had a wife named Adelaide G Swann who resided the Gawler Railway Block when he enlisted. Later during the war she moved to Sturt St Adelaide followed by Tynte Street North Adelaide.

Thomas Roy Swann enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 13th January 1916 in Adelaide, South Australia. He weighed 136lb (62kg), was 5,5 ½, had a medium complexion, grey eyes, brunette hair and was a Methodist.

Thomas Roy Swann embarked from Melbourne, Australia, on 1st August 1916, aboard H.M.A.T. A67 "Orsova," to begin his overseas service. In England, he marched into the Artillery Training Depot at Bulford on 30th October 1916. His early service in England consisted of admissions to Bulford Hospital in March 1917.

He embarked overseas to France from Southampton on July 23, 1917, where he was taken on strength with the 6th Field Artillery Brigade prior to being posted to the 13th Light Trench Mortar Battery by July 30, 1917.

Unfortunately, on September 27, 1917, Private Swann was Wounded in Action in Belgium during operations near Zonnebeke. He sustained multiple and serious gunshot wounds to his left thigh, right knee, and forearm (fractured). These wounds were "dangerous." His left leg was amputated, as confirmed by an amputation below the left thigh, above the knee, as early as September 30, 1917, when he was discharged from the 2nd Australian Field Ambulance at Etaples, France, to the Australian General Base Depot.

For his efforts at Zonnebeke, he was awarded the Military Medal December 14 1917 for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. The award recommendations states, “He acted as a gunner and continuously passed barrages and shell-swept areas carrying food and water to the Front line, he was severely wounded carrying ammunitions and messages to guns in front line. His conduct showed a never failing example of fearlessness.”

Because of his severe injuries, on 4th October 1917, he was transferred to England and was taken to Shorncliffe's Bevan Military Hospital for treatment.

In late 1917 and 1918, while in England, Private Swann was moved frequently between the Auxiliary hospitals, i.e., the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st Auxiliary Hospitals, as his condition was constantly assessed and treated. In December 1917, he was reported to be making good progress.

After months of treatment and tests, Private Thomas Roy Swann finally embarked from England on 22 May 1918 on the ship Kanowna, for return to Australia for discharge. Upon arrival in Australia, a final Medical Board at Keswick, Adelaide, confirmed his amputation status on 23 May 1918. He was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 6 June 1918.