SWANNELL Gilbert Roberts

Gilbert Swannell was born on 15th May 1893 in Worcester, England.  On 6th May 1914 at the age of 21 he sailed from Avonmouth, Bristol, England to Quebec, Canada on the Royal Edward.  His occupation was given as a draper.

Gilbert enlisted as a Private in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Calgary, Alberta, Canada on 2nd October 1915 when he gave his occupation as a farmer.  At the time of his enlistment he was single and he gave his next of kin as his father, Jabez Swannell, 16 Moorfield, Tolladine Road, Worcester.  After he married this was amended to his wife, Mrs Laura May Swannell, Huxley, Alberta, Canada later of 14 Elbury Road, Garden City, Worcester, England.  At the time of his enlistment Gilbert was 5ft 7½ inches tall with brown eyes, black hair and a medium complexion.

On 20th May 1916 he sailed with the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force from Halifax Canada on the S.S. Empress of Britain, arriving in Liverpool, England on 30th May when he was promoted to Acting Corporal.  After a spell in England he was posted to France on 3rd September 1916, arriving there on 5th September.  Gilbert was killed in action on 28th April 1917.

A photograph of Corporal G. Swannell of Worcester can be found in Berrow’s Worcester Journal Supplement, Saturday 19th May 1917, available at Worcestershire Archives.

Gilbert Swannell has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on the Vimy Memorial.