Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Thomas Swain, a stone quarry worker, born 1860 in Markfield, Leics., and his wife Mary Charlotte Swain (nee Bowley, married Q3 1880 in the Market Bosworth, Leics. district), born 1862 in Markfield, Leics. Walter was born on the 20th February 1890 in Markfield, Leics., his siblings were, Annie M., a schoolgirl, born 1881, Lucy, a schoolgirl, born 1882, Alfred, a schoolboy, born 1884, John, a schoolboy, born 1887 and Oliver, born 1888, all his siblings were born in Markfield, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at Hillside, Markfield, Leics. In March 1901 Walter was residing in the family home at New Row, Markfield, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Alfred, a bricklayer’s labourer, John, a baker’s boy, Oliver, a butcher’s boy, Frank, born 1893, Ada, born 1895, Louisa, born 1897, Wilfred, born 1899 and Albert Edward, born 1901, the latter five siblings were all born in Markfield, Leics. In April 1911 Walter was employed as a quarry worker and was residing in the family home at New Row, Markfield, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, John, a quarry worker, Oliver, a quarry worker, Frank, a tailor’s apprentice, Ada, Louisa and Wilfred, a schoolboy. The family later resided at Jubilee Terrace, Thornton Road, Markfield, Leics. Walter was recorded as an Army Reservist on the 11th December 1915. He enlisted on the 17th July 1917 and embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 3rd December 1917, joining his unit, the Anson Battalion on the 6th January 1918 and serving with this unit until he was gassed on the 12th March 1918 and admitted to the 3rd General Hospital at Le Treport, France, where he died on the 20th March 1918.