Main CPGW Record
Surname: SWALES
Forename(s): Tom
Place of Birth: Rylstone, Yorkshire
Service No: 13653
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 9th (Service) Battalion
Division: 17th (Northern) Division
Age: 21
Date of Death: 1918-03-22
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Bay 6.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: CRACOE, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: RYLSTONE, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Tom Swales was the son of Thomas and Grace Swales, née Bownass. Thomas was born at Starbotton and Grace at Rylstone, Yorkshire. Tom’s sister, Martha, was married to Private Frederick Hugh Pye (55020) (q.v.). Tom and Martha were the cousins of Ordinary Seaman James Thomas Swales (SS/8309) (q.v.).
1901 Rylstone, Yorkshire Census: Tom Swale, aged 3 years, born Rylstone, son of Thomas and Grace Swale.
1911 Rylstone, Yorkshire Census: Tom Swale, aged 13, years, born Rylstone, son of Thomas and Grace Swale.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Tom Swales, 13653, W. Rid. Rgt. Theatre of War first served in: 1 - France. Date of entry therein: 26.8.15. Ass. dead 22.3.18.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Tom Swales, 13653, 10th W. Rid. R.; 2nd W. Rid. R.; 9th W. Rid. R. Presumed Dead 22.3.18.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Tom Swales, 13653, 9 Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: On or since 22.3.18. France. Death presd. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Mother sole legatee - Grace. £23 14s. 10d.
Tom is commemorated in the Memorial Books of the Post Office Fellowship of Remembrance: Swale T. Workplace: Skipton. Regiment: West Riding Regiment.
A short biography of Tom is included in: ‘Swaledale & Wharfedale Remembered – Aspects of Dales’ life through peace and war’ by Keith Taylor (2006).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---
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Private Tom SWALES
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 17th (Northern) Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Our Wharfedale Lads
Recruits to the 'A' Coy 10th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) at Grassington Station, September 21st 1914. Front row left-right: 1 - Benjamin Beaumont, 5 - William Burley, 8 - William Limmer. Back row left-right: 8 - Tom Swales
Courtesy of Keith Taylor ('Swaledale and Wharfedale Remembered')
Upper Wharfedale Recruits
Upper Wharfedale Recruits leaving Grassington Station, September 21st 1914. Front row, kneeling, left-right: 1 - ?Arthur Stubbs, 2 - William Burley, 3 - Benjamin Beaumont (his sister Jenny is standing at the far right of the photograph), 4 - R. Harper, 5 - C.J. Kelly. Second row, left-right: 1 - W. Eley, 2 - W. Oldfield, 3 - W.P. Inman, 4 - Walter Limmer, 7 - T.S. Worsley, 8 - T. Darwin. Third row, left-right: 4 - Tom Swales
Courtesy of Keith Taylor (‘Swaledale and Wharfedale Remembered’)
Unknown platoon of 'A' Company, 10th (Service) Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), Aldershot, 1914
Photograph sent home to his parents at Bolton by Bowland by Pte Henry (Harry) Valance Killeen (13738). Henry is standing, with his hands behind his back, 11th from right. His brother, Pte Reginald Victor Whiteley Killeen (q.v.), was killed in action on the 25 January 1916
Courtesy of Paula Ann Payne (née Bailey), Barnoldswick
'A' Company, 10th (Service) Battalion The Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment), Bramshott, August, 1915
Courtesy of Bernard Ideson
Names of identified officers and other ranks on above photograph
St Peter's Churchyard, Rylstone
Family gravestone
St Peter's Churchyard, Rylstone
Family gravestone - detail
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
07 January 1916
CRACOE
THANKS FOR GIFTS RECEIVED
Miss Ashton, of Cockerham Farm, Thorpe, has received acknowledgments of parcels sent to soldiers serving at the front, the gifts having been subscribed for by friends in the district…
Pte. T. Swale, of the 10th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, France, says:– “Just a few lines to thank you for the parcel I received a few days ago. I am sure it is very good of you to put yourself to so much trouble for us, and I am sure you have good taste in what to send the boys in the trenches. Please also thank the people for their generosity in subscribing to your scheme. We have had some very wet weather lately, which has made the trenches very unpleasant. The rain has made a pond between the German trench and ours, so there is no fear of them advancing unless they swim across, which I don’t think is likely.”
03 May 1918
WOUNDED AND MISSING
Private T. Swales, West Riding Regiment, has been reported missing since March 22nd. His parents, who live at Rylstone, would be grateful for any news of him.
21 March 1919
SWALES – In honoured and loving memory of our dearly loved son, Private Tom Swales, 9th West Riding Regiment, who was reported missing March 22nd, 1918, in his 21st year after 3½ years service.
He fought the fight, the victory won,
We weep but say “God’s will be done”;
But the unknown grave is the bitterest blow,
None but aching hearts can know.
From his loving Mother, Father, Sisters and Brothers, Rylstone.
19 March 1920
SWALES – In proud and loving memory of our dearly loved son, Private Tom Swales, 9th West Riding Regiment, who was reported missing 22nd March, 1918, later to have died on or since that date, in his 21st year.
For him high service waits,
Though earth’s last fight is fought;
God did not give that fearless soul
To end at last in nought.
The unknown grave is the bitterest blow.
Dad, Mother, Sisters and Brother, Rylstone.
18 March 1921
SWALES – In loving memory of our dear son, Pte. Tom Swales, West Riding Regt., who was missing March 22nd, 1918, in his 21st year.
“War’s bitter cost.”
Dad, Mother, Sisters and Brother, Rylstone.
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