The Collection of Medals Formed By Dr A W Stott

A Great War D.S.O. group of six awarded to Lieutenant Colonel J. L. Swainson, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, late 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, killed in action whilst commanding 1/4th King’s Own Regiment in August 1916
Six: Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., with its case of issue; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (Lieut. J. L. Swainson, Lanc. Fus.) correction to last part of surname; King’s South Africa, 2 clasps (Lt. J. L. Swainson, Lanc. Fus.); 1914-15 Star (Major, D. of Corn. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. (Lt. Col.) the Boer War pair with contact marks, very fine, otherwise nearly extremely fine (6)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals Formed By Dr A W Stott.

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D.S.O. London Gazette 3 June 1916.

Joseph Leonard Swainson was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant, Lancashire Fusiliers, in 1899. He served with the 2nd Battalion in the Boer War and on his return became Adjutant of the 8th Service Battalion until his transfer, in 1908, as a Captain to the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. He won the D.S.O. with the 6th Battalion D.C.L.I. and was also twice mentioned in despatches and promoted Major. On 25th June 1916, he took over command of the 1/4th King’s Own Lancaster Regiment on the Somme. On 8th August 1916, the King’s Own attacked the village of Guillemont, only to find that the German wire had not been cut. In the face of severe casualties from shelling and machine gun fire only 50yds was won. Lieut.-Colonel Swainson ordered the battalion to withdraw but was severely wounded whilst encouraging his men. Second Lieutenant G. C. Coury of the Prince of Wales’ Volunteers, who was on his way to the front line in order to dig a sap, gave what help he could in rallying the men. On hearing that Col. Swainson had been wounded, Lieut. Coury, a sapper sergeant and Private Howarth of the King’s Own, went out to look for him and bring him in. This they succeeded in doing and brought him back to the new advanced trench over ground swept by machine gun fire. Colonel Swainson, however, died within a few minutes of being brought into the trench. For this gallant action Lieut. Coury was awarded the Victoria Cross. The battalion lost eight officers killed, nine wounded and 250 other ranks killed, wounded or missing. Lieut.-Colonel Swainson is buried in Corbie Communal Cemetery, France.