L.-CORP. F. SWIFT.

“He met his death during our successful attack on the German lines. He was very fine soldier, quiet, and unassuming, but always ready when there was work to be done. His loss deeply felt his officers and comrades.” This brief statement from his Commanding Officer announces the death of L.-Corp. Frederick Swift, of the South African Infantry, which took place in France on April 9. The deceased was the youngest son of Mrs. Swift, of Walford, near Eccleshall, and was 31 years of age. He received his training as engineer in the workshops of the North Staffordshire Railway Company at Stoke, and some five years ago went out to South Africa to take an important position on the Transvaal Government Railways. When the war broke out, he was anxious to return to England, but was unable to do so at that time. Having refused the offer of a commission in one of the South African regiments, he joined the South African Infantry, and reached England with his detachment at Christmas, 1915. The regiment, the members which were generally known as the “Springboks,” went into training at Borden Camp, and in July of last year the deceased went over France, where he had been ever since. L.-Corp. Swift was excellent shot, and before he left Borden was presented with a gold watch being the best shot in the detachment.