Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frank White Swann, an ironmonger, born 7th January 1872 in South Normanton, Derbyshire, and who was the son of Joseph and Julia Swann and his wife Beatrice Swann (nee Mather, married on the 20th September 1894 in St. Mary Magdalene Church, Newark, Nottinghamshire), born in the 3rd quarter of 1872 in Newark, Nottinghamshire. Larendon Haythorne was born in the 3rd quarter of 1896 in Bleasby, Nottinghamshire, and was baptised on the 3rd September 1896 in St. Mary’s Church, Bleasby, his siblings were, Beatrice Margery Julia, born on the 17th December 1897 in Bleasby and baptised on the 20th January 1898 in St. Mary’s Church, Bleasby and Kathleen Pretoria, born 1st July 1900 in Newark, in March 1901 the family home was at 38, North Gate, Newark. In April 1911 Larendon was absent from the family home at Burton Road, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, residing there was his father, an ironmonger, his mother and siblings, Margery, a schoolgirl, Kathleen, a schoolgirl, Nellie Parker, a schoolgirl, born 1903 in Newark, Gwendolyn Elizabeth, born on the 30th November 1907 and baptised on the 23rd December 1907 in St. Mary’s Church, Melton Mowbray and Barbara Joan, born on the 7th August 1909 and baptised on the 4th September 1909 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Thorpe Arnold, Leicestershire, the latter two siblings were both born in Melton Mowbray, meanwhile, Larendon was a student and was residing at Trent College, Long Eaton, Nottingham. Larendon had two younger siblings, Francis Edward, born in the 3rd quarter of 1904 in Newark and who died on the 22nd August 1904 in Newark and John Roger, born on the 9th October 1913 in Melton Mowbray and baptised on the 6th July 1914 in St. Mary’s Church, Melton Mowbray.
Larendon’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted into the London Regiment, being allotted the service number 3597, and was posted as a Private to that Regiment’s Depot for training, subsequently being posted to the 1/9th Battalion. And it was to join this Battalion, that he first entered the theatre of war in France on the 22nd January 1915. Nothing further is known of his military service until he was officially recorded as having been killed in action on Saturday, 4th September, 1915, while serving with the 1/9th County of London Battalion, Queen Victoria’s Rifles. He was buried in Carnoy Military Cemetery, France. Larendon was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 4 Sept-15 – BRAY & CARNOY. Mine exploded on neighbouring left front 8.30 by enemy. Artillery support. Casualties 2 killed. Wind South Westerly.
On Friday September 17th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MR. F. W. SWANN’S SON KILLED. – We deeply regret to learn that rifleman Larry Swann, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Swann, of Melton Mowbray, has been killed in action in France. Deceased, who was only 19 years of age, was educated at Trent College (his father’s old school), where he served for two years in the Officers’ Training Corps, and not only thoroughly mastered the drills, but also became a very proficient shot. After leaving college, he entered his father’s business (Messrs. Sharman and Ladbury, ironmongers, Melton Mowbray). Last November deceased joined the 9th County of London Queen Victoria’s Rifles, and only came home once on short furlough just after Christmas, being sent out with the first draft of his regiment in the middle of January, after about six weeks training. Since that time, except for about a month, when in hospital suffering from measles, he has been in the thick of the fighting. Deceased was very popular with his local friends and associates, and much sympathy will be extended to the bereaved parents. The first intimation his parents received that anything untoward had occurred was contained in a letter from Miss Rees, of London, sister of one of the deceased’s friends at the front. In response to a wire from Mr. Swann for further details, Mr. Rees forwarded the following extract from a letter sent by his son:- “I have some very sad news for you, Swann has been killed. The Germans attacked our trenches on Saturday night, and he was hit right at the beginning of the attack. It is comforting to know that he did not experience any pain. He was shot through the stomach, and did not utter a single word. I have lost my best pal, and I can hardly believe it is true, even yet. We were side by side in the trenches when the attack was made. It didn’t last long. He was the only casualty we had.” The sad news was confirmed by the subsequent receipt of the following letters: “September 6th, 1915. My Dear Mr. and Mrs. Swann, - It is with great sorrow and regret I write to sympathise with you in the death of your son, my friend. He was in my hut at Crowborough and came out with me and Alex Rees. I am nearly heartbroken at losing him after such a long friendship. The Germans had started rapid fire, and Larry was hit at the beginning of the affair. He died instantaneously, with a fine expression on his face. He will be buried today, with a proper service, by our Chaplain. One thing I am comforted in, as you will be also; he is with his God in perfect happiness and peace, as he was one of the few who kept themselves good Christians out here in this awful war. May God give you all his greatest comfort. Believe me, yours very sincerely, Arthur Ives, No. 2,800, 11th Platoon, C Company, B.E.F.” “8th September, 1916. Dear Mrs. Swann, it is impossible for me to express my deep regret at the terrible loss which you have all sustained. Larry was admired and loved by all who knew him, and his death has come as a terrible blow to us all. I hope I may be allowed to offer you my deepest sympathy. There are three especial pals of Larry’s who have asked me to write this letter as coming from us all. I am sure it will be comforting to you to know that Larry experienced no pain whatever. It was instantaneous. With kindest regards, yours very sincerely, Alex Rees.” On Wednesday morning Mr. Swann received official confirmation from the War Office, also the following letter from Capt. Leys Cox:- “It is with deepest regret I have to inform you of the death of your son who was killed in action on the 4th inst. His death was instantaneous, and he was buried by the chaplain at -----, in a small cemetery set apart for our battalion. I am having a cross erected. Pray accept my most heartfelt sympathy in this, your terrible loss, and may the good God help you and yours to bear it.” Enclosed in the official notification, was the following letter from Lord Kitchener:- “The King commands me to assure you of the true sympathy of his Majesty and the Queen in your sorrow. Kitchener.”
On Saturday September 18th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Mr. F. W. Swann, ironmonger, Melton Mowbray, has received an official intimation that his son, Rifleman LARRY SWANN, aged 19, of the 9th County of London Queen Victoria’s Rifles, has been killed in France. Deceased served for two years with the Officers Training Corps at Trent College, where he was educated, and went to the front after six weeks training with his regiment.