PETER FREDERICK SWAIN

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

Image from the Evening Star – 8th November 1941

Born: 9th February 1921, Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Died: 13th October 1941; age: 20; aircraft lost over Norway.

Residence: Ipswich.

Occupation: Petroleum Distribution Clerk.

Based at Wick, Caithness, Scotland.

Rank: Sergeant/Wireless Operator/Air Gunner; Service Number: 751851.

Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 220 Squadron.

Grave Reference:

C.7.

Bergen (Mollendal) Church Cemetery,

Norway.

Relatives Notified & Address: Only son of Sidney Howard & Louisa Agnes Swain, of Ipswich.

Father: Sidney Howard Swain, born December 1892, East Finchley, Middlesex. A herbalist.

Mother: Louisa Agnes Swain (nee Harrison (1st marriage Thompson)), born 1891, Portsmouth, Hampshire.

CENSUS

1921   159, Replington Road, Southfields, London, S.W.

Peter was 4 months old and lived with his parents at the family home of recently widowed Mrs. Nellie Matilda Ambridge and her two young daughters.

Sidney Swain, 31 years & 6 months old, a Textile Warehouseman for Moss and Dale, of 21, Bread Street, EC4.

Louisa Swain, 30 years & 11 months old, Home Duties.

Peter’s parents separated. Sidney moved to 245, Charwood Street, Leicester, and Louisa stayed in Ipswich as a Housekeeper for the Gooberman family at 7, Pine View Road, Ipswich.

Peter was educated at Northgate School, Ipswich.

ENGLAND and WALES REGISTER 1939

Peter was employed as a Petroleum Distribution Clerk. He lived with the James family at their home 182, Back Hamlet, Ipswich.

Frederick John James, an E.A.D.T. Newspaper Printer’s Pack and an A.R.P. Warden, born July 1902, Manningtree, Essex.

Blanche Violet A. James (nee Harvey), unpaid Domestic Duties, born August 1905, Shepherd’s Bush, London.

Frederick G. James, born 1930, Ipswich.

13th October 1941

Aircraft: Lockheed Hudson MkV; serial number: AM636; code: NR-B. The aircraft took off at 03:30hrs, from Wick, Caithness, Scotland on a patrol mission. The aircraft failed to return.

Crew:

Paul Reuben Smith; Pilot Officer/Navigator/Bomb Aimer; age 21; R.A.F.V.R.

Aubrey John Kenneth Parratt; Flight Sergeant/Wireless Operator/Air Gunner; age 20; R.A.F.

Anthony James Carey Simpson D.F.C.; Flight Lieutenant/Pilot; age 23; R.A.F.V.R.

Aubrey and Anthony were laid to rest at Trondheim (Stavne) Cemetery, Norway.

Paul’s body was never found. He is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.

Aircraft information courtesy of John Allan.