Second Lieutenant James Gibson Swinton was born, (according to Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950 records), on 14 December 1891 in Dundee, St. Andrews, Forfarshire, Scotland, but this date could well be the date of his baptism. He was a son of Andrew Laird Swinton (1866-1941) and Alice Elizabeth Swinton née Gibson (1865-1937). His father was the headmaster of Ann Street School, Dundee.
In the 1901 census he shown scholar living at 6 Viewbank Terrace, Clepington Road, Dundee, Scotland and on 24 July 1914 he enrolled as Royal Academy School student.
He initially enlisted in the 8th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, service number 2185, rising to the rank of Sergeant, and entered Gallipoli, Turkey, on 10 August 1915. In 1917 his service number was change to 330685. On 28 February 1917 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 4th Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders).
Our picture source gives details of the circumstances of his being killed in action, aged 36 years, on 25 March 1918. As he has no known grave he is commemorated on Stone 49B on the Pozieres Memorial, Ovillers-la-Boisselle, France.
Probate records confirm that his home address was in Newport, Fife, Scotland and that his father, of Woodmuir Terrace, West Newport, Fife, was granted confirmation on 17 January 1919 to execute the will he made on 27 June 1917, his estate being valued at £180-0s-3d. His army effects totalling £78-13s-1d and his £15-0s-0d war gratuity were sent to his father on 29 August 1919.
He was posthumously awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal and these were sent to his father on 9 October 1920. He is also commemorated on the headstone of his parents at Vicarsford Cemetery, Forgan, Fife and the Newport-on-Tay war memorial.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
