SWAYNE, OSWALD ROCKE, Second
Lieutenant, was born 25 September 1879, sixth son of R A Swayne, of
Tillington Court, near
Hereford. He joined the Army, as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal
Artillery, 20 May 1899, and was promoted Lieutenant 16 February 1901. He
served in the South African War from 1899 to 1902, being present in
operations in the Orange Free State, April to May 1900, including actions at
Yet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal in May
and June 1900, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond
Hill (11 and 12 June); operations in Orange River Colony, June to 29
November 1900, including action at Wittebergen (1 to 29 July); operations in
Cape Colony, south of Orange River, 1900; operations in the Transvaal, July
and December 1901; operations in Orange River Colony 30 November 1900 to 31
May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September
1901]; awarded the Queen's Medal with four clasps, and the King's Medal with
two clasps and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order
[London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Oswald Roche Swayne, Second
Lieutenant, Royal Garrison Artillery. In recognition of services during the
operations in South Africa". He was invested by the King 24 October 1902.
He became Captain 15 March 1906; was Adjutant, Royal Artillery, 1 June 1911
to 31 May 1914, and was promoted Major 30 October 1914. He served in the
European War, 1914-17 and 1918-19; was from July 1917 to August 1918, Major
Instructor in the Gunnery School of Instruction for Siege and Heavy Artillery, Lydd. He was mentioned in
Despatches, and was awarded the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 1 January 1919;
and was wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Swayne married, in 1904, Brenda,
youngest daughter of Arthur Butler, of Brooklyn, Chislehurst, Kent, and has
four sons and one daughter.
