| Swinton | Ernest Dunlop | | Captain | SWINTON, ERNEST DUNLOP, Captain, was born 21 October 1868. He was educated at Rugby and Cheltenham, and was gazetted to the Royal Engineers 17 February 1888, becoming Lieutenant 17 February 1891. He was Assistant Inspector, School of Military Engineering, 3 November 1896 to 10 November 1899; became Captain 17 February 1899. Captain Swinton served in the South African War, 1899-1902, as Adjutant, 1st Battalion Railway Pioneer Regiment (from 22 December 1899); afterwards in command of the 1st Battalion Railway Pioneer Regiment from 15 November 1900; operations in the Orange Free State, April to May 1900; operations in Orange River Colony, May to September 1900; operations in the Transvaal, September to 29 November 1900; operations in Cape Colony, November 1899 to April 1900; operations in the Transvaal 30 November 1900 to 31 May 1902; operations in Orange River Colony, May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with three clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Ernest Dunlop Swinton, Captain, Royal Engineers. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He was invested with the Insignia by the King 18 December 1902. He was promoted to Major 31 December 1906; was Chief Instructor, RMA, 1 February 1907 to 8 September 1910; Secretary, Historical Section, Committee of Imperial Defence, 30 September 1910 to 30 September 1913; Assistant Secretary, Committee of Imperial Defence, 1 October 1913 to 4 August 1914. He served in the European War from 1914, as Deputy Director of Railway Transport, British Expeditionary Force, 5 August to 8 September 1914; as GSO2, GHQ, BEF, 9 September 1914 to 18 July 1915; was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 6 May 1915; was GSO1, whilst employed as Assistant Secretary. Committee of Imperial Defence, 19 July 1915 to 18 March 1916; Commander, Heavy Section, Machine Gun Corps, 19 March to 8 November 1916. He was given the Brevet of Colonel 1 January 1917; was employed under the Ministry of Munitions 14 August to 17 November 1918; Temporary Major General 3 January 1918; employed under the Ministry of Labour 18 November 1918; Controller of Inspection Department of Civil Aviation. For his services in the European War he was mentioned three times in Despatches; was created a CB in 1917; given the Brevet of Colonel, and made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. He had to do with the evolution of the Tank. He journeyed through the United States, speaking about the War, in 1918. Under the pseudonym, 'Ole-Luk-Oie' he wrote 'Green Curve' in 1909. He wrote 'The Defence of Duffer's Drift' in 1904, under the pseudonym of 'Backright-Forethought'. In 1915 he wrote 'The Great Tab Dope', and in 1916, 'A Year Ago'. He married, in 1897, Grace Louisa, second daughter of Sir Edward G Clayton, and they had two sons and one daughter.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Engineers |
