Lt Malcolm Sworder (11 February 1893 - 18 March 1918 (aged 25))

Lt. Malcolm Sworder, officially reported killed in action, March 18, 1918, was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Harry Sworder, of the Hall, Stapleford Tawney, and subsequently of Whittles Hall, Springfield. He was an Old Chelmsfordian, and came from British Columbia in the first Canadian Contingent as a trooper in Lord Strathcona’s Horse R.C.

He was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and being subsequently recommended for a commission, was gazetted to his old regiment, afterwards transferring to the R.F.C. Before leaving England for Canada, he was in the Essex Imperial Yeomanry.

His brothers Lt. Norman Sworder R.F.C., Observation Balloon Corps, and Sec. Lt. G. Hope Sworder, 7th Dragoon Guards and A.D.C. to a Major-General of a Division of Indian Cavalry, are both on active service.

He was born on the 11th February, 1893 at Stapleford Tawney. He attended King Edward’s Grammar School in Chelmsford, where he received the Cadet Corps Recruits’ prize in 1907. He resided at Great Tawney Hall.

He was a Lieutenant in the Canadian Reserve Cavalry Regiment. He was a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps attached to 59th Squadron. He was 26 years old when he was killed on the 18th March 1918. He is buried in Achiet-Le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Malcolm was the son of Harry and Eleanor Sworder (née Gingell), of
13 King’s Road, Berkhampsted, Hertfordshire. He had two brothers,
Norman and Gerald Hope, born in 1887, and one sister, Maud Mabel.

He was born on 11 February 1893 at Stapleford Tawney and was baptised on
26 March 1893.

He attended King Edward’s Grammar School in Chelmsford, where he received
the Cadet Corps Recruits’ Prize in 1907.

At some point, together with his brother, he joined the Essex Yeomanry.

On the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site, his nationality is recorded
as Canadian. He was a Lieutenant in the Canadian Reserve
Cavalry Regiment and served as a pilot with the
Royal Flying Corps, attached to the
59th Squadron.

He was 26 years old when he was killed on 18 March 1918.
He is buried in
Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Source: Essex Record Office, D/P 141/1/6 #607.

In 1910 Malcolm, together with his brother Gerald Hope and his father,
emigrated to British Columbia, where he was employed principally in fruit
farming. His mother, together with his sister Maud, joined them in 1911,
followed by Norman in 1913.

Essex Roll of Honour, Essex Newsman, 27 April 1918

Lt. Malcolm Sworder, officially reported killed in action, March 18, 1918,
was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs Harry Sworder, of the Hall,
Stapleford Tawney, and subsequently of Whittles Hall, Springfield.

He was an Old Chelmsfordian, and came from British Columbia in the first
Canadian Contingent as a trooper in Lord Strathcona’s Horse, R.C.
He was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and being subsequently recommended
for a commission, was gazetted to his old regiment, afterwards transferring
to the R.F.C.

Before leaving England for Canada, he was in the Essex Imperial Yeomanry.
His brothers, Lt. Norman Sworder, R.F.C., Observation Balloon Corps, and
Sec. Lt. G. Hope Sworder, 7th Dragoon Guards, and A.D.C. to a Major-General
of a Division of Indian Cavalry, are both on active service.

Malcolm is also remembered on the Masonic Roll of Honour.
He was a member of Castle Lodge No. 1436 in Kent.

His brother, Norman Sworder, also fell.