Albin William SWANSON

World War 1 Service

Similarity in Names

HERE is an instance of the confusion and irritation which can arise through two persons being of the same name. Mr. Albin William Swanson, fisheries inspector at American River,Kangaroo Island, who came to the city for the Anzac Day celebrations, told me of it. Mr. Swanson enlisted and went to the camp at the Exhibition grounds. The recruits were lined up. He answered to his name and was given No. 5218. Directly behind him was a man who answered to the same name, and- he was gi\ven No. 5219. They had not met before, and the only difference in their names was that the second one was Arthur.

Albin became known as "Big Swanee and Arthur as "Little Swanee." They were sent to the same section. were together in Mitcham camp, and they went away with the 16th reinforcements of the 10th Batt.

Number on Cross

THIS similarity in names led to each receiving the other's letters and parcels.Arthur was killed in France, near Lagnicourt, and the pioneers erected a wooden cross over his grave. On coming out of the line Albin went to the cemetery and noticed that his number was on the cross. He hurried to headquarters, reported the mistake, and asked that care be taken to see that correct information was given in the casualty list sent to Australia. On reaching the place where the kits had been left be fore going into the line he found that his had been opened. It was the practice to do that when a soldier was reported killed. Albin was not reported dead in Australia, but a long time passed before he again received letters and parcels

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Passing By. (1940, April 29). News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved July 30, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131533578

(Mrs Paulson's) son by a former marriage (Albin William Swanson, of American River) won a Croix de Guerre in Great War I., and has a letter to say he had been awarded a Military Medal. But he has never received the medal. Mrs. Paulson has a twin grandson in the RAN

Out Among The People. (1944, August 3). Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), p. 31. Retrieved July 30, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92804371

Mrs Paulson resided at American River in 1944 aged 91 and "had never been ill".

GOOD SOLDIER ALBIN Swanson was a good soldier in Great War I. He was a lance-corporal in the famous Fighting 10th when he was awarded tbe Belgian Croix de Cuerre at Merris. was recommended for a MM and was mentioned in despatches. He told me he was more than pleased about the latter, because it was signed personally by Mr. Churchill. Curiously enough, 5218 Albin William Swanson and 5219 Arthur Wilhelm Swanson joined 10th Battalion reinforcements simultaneously, and were put in D Company To avoid confusion, the latter was transferred to A Company, and was killed later at Lagnacourt, but on his wooden cross Albin's name appeared. All letters he received three months later were marked "Killed in action."

SURPRISE REUNION BUT what about this, for a surprise reunion? "In our last stunt, at Bullecourt," Albin told me "C Company sent out a patrol one night, aboat a dozen men. I was a stretcher bearer, standing alongside D Company's machine gunner. We saw a crowd come over the rise toward us, and the gunner said. That's not C Company's patrol: there are too many of them. He sang out two or three times and. getting no answer, gave one burst with his gun. Luckily nobody was killed, not one man got a knock in the knee and fingers. Idressed his wounds in the dark, and he went away. "When we came to AmericanRiver 24 years ago two married couples spent Easter with us. The men wore RSL badges. We exchanged notes, and found we had been in the 10th, and when I said I had been in D Company, one asked. Remember the night D Company's gunner knocked one of C Company's patrol?" "I do" I said. 'I dressed his wounds.' 'Well.' he said to my surprise. I was the fellow." He was Fred Heading, from Prospect. One of Albin's twins is a POW in Japanese hands, the other is in New Guinea.

- OUT Among The PEOPLE. (1944, December 11). The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), p. 6. Retrieved July 30, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article43232363