TOPIC:

A Boer war and first world war medal pair awarded to Reverend William Shuckburgh Swayne, who was the Bishop of Lincoln from 1920 to 1932.

Queen's South Africa Medal (Clasp - Cape Colony) named to Rev. W.S. Swayne.
WW1 British War Medal named to Rev. W.S. Swayne.

William Shuckburgh Swayne was born in 1862, son of Reverend William John Swayne, formerly vicar of Heytesbury. In 1891 he was appointed Vicar of Walsall.
At the start of the Boer War, Swayne offered his services as an acting chaplain. He was originally told that there was no immediate need for additional chaplains but later received a telegram accepting his offer and telling him to be ready to depart in 10 days’ time. He was a Chaplain to the Forces - 4th Class, and served in the Cape Colony from 29 May to 26 September1900. Shortly after returning from South Africa, he was appointed to the important London incumbency of St Peter's, Cranley Gardens, where he remained for the next 17 years. At the start of the first world war, Swayne joined up with the Reserve Corps of the Inns of Court Volunteers as a private. It was a unit of middle-aged men deemed too old for other service, but who would be serviceable for Home Defense. In early July 1916, he made arrangements to Rouen and spent a few months serving with the Y.M.C.A. After the war Swayne spent two years as the Dean of Manchester from 1918 to 1920. He was consecrated the 90th Bishop of Lincoln and served in that role from 1920 to 1932. He wrote "The Psalm of the Saints" in 1904, "The Beatitudes" in 1913; St Paul and his Gospel", 1915; "Personal Union with Christ", 1917 and his autobiography "Parsons Pleasure" in 1934.

Interestingly, there is footage of him at Lincoln Cathedral coming the door and bowing to his replacement's consecration as Bishop of Lincoln in 1932. It isn't possible to see if he is wearing his medals on his robes.




His son, Lieutenant Jack Swayne was captured at the Battle of Le Cateau on 26th August 1914 and spent the war as a PoW. He later was a Lt. Gen. and served in WWII.

Further to this post, how many classes of chaplains were there and what did the classes signify. Was there a great difference in the “job” between a 4th and 3rd class chaplain? How did the rankings work? Thanks in advance. John

My good friend, the author Mark Reid, in Canada, sent me this link, which explains everything. Thank you Mark!

www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/docs-se...haplains-department/

Bishop Swayne’s autobiography “Parson’s Pleasure” is apparently still purchasable via AbeBooks.co.uk at a cost of £65 including postage. It seems to run to over 300 pages and the copy available is inscribed.

There is also a lengthy review of the book in the Lincolnshire Echo of 23rd October 1934. The reviewer notes the title is “fascinating” but leaves it there. I presume he was alluding to the fact that when Bishop Swayne was an undergraduate at Oxford University “Parson’s Pleasure” was a bathing spot on the River Cherwell, as it wended its way through Oxford, which was the preserve of the male only (then) members of the University where they used to bathe naked. The reviewer also says the book is a “confession” and one of the confessions is that the Bishop admitted to being part of a group of undergraduates who engaged in a fight with “roughs” in the streets of Oxford during a “town and gown” disturbance. So he obviously took part in the more dubious traditions of the University.

John – I will email you the page with the review on which is a bit too lengthy to include with this post.

Hi David,
Thanks for the tip regarding Swayne's book. I found a signed copy in the states for less and it's on its way to me. : ). It'll be a nice addition to the medals and the ephemera that accompanies his pair.
Thanks for sending the copy of the Lincolnshire Echo; it's fascinating reading. Cheers, John

Researching Swayne today has proved fruitful and here's a photo of him in SA - quite dashing looking in his hat and uniform with insignia.