This blog page honours one of our own “Grand Old Soldiers” of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry: (1DCLI) 1953-1955 as a National Serviceman and later in the DCLI TA and many other TA Regiments. The editor first met Swanny on 5th November 1953, in basic training at the Bodmin Depot and was shown the ropes and kit bulling tricks by him then, as the ‘old soldier’ he already was, having had his training interrupted by an operation for appendicitis and recovery.
Swanny’s story is not mine to tell, other than anecdotal reflections from our “A” Company, Bermuda days, from sailing on the Empire Clyde in February 1954 until he left us for demob around July 1955 to return home to Penzance. The very least I can do however is to record here the unfailing support that Swanny has given to my efforts to produce historical memorabilia of our famous Regiment and the part that many of us played during the Caribbean era. It hasn’t stopped there however, as he continues to contribute reports and photographs of West Cornwall DCLI Association and updates about his local mates in Cornwall, who – but for Swanny’s industry – would have been long forgotten.
It is timely that we thank Swanny as our own unsung hero. He is always the first to acknowledge the efforts of others and many of you will know far better than I, what this means. Swanny today is undergoing his biggest challenge yet, which is to prepare for major surgery in December after extensive chemotherapy. Despite the discomfort that this treatment delivers, Swanny remains upbeat and cheerful and resolute in living his life to the full. The following photographs have been forwarded by him after the latest gathering of the Association. Many more photos originating from Swanny and others emailed to me on behalf of other Mates, can be seen on the DCLI websites shown in the rhs Blogroll.
Thank You Swanny – a heartfelt gesture from all your ‘Old Mates’. We wish you a speedy recovery from your illness and look forward to news of a major improvement in your health. Get Well Soon.(Editor: Brisbane Australia, 16th November 2008)
(ED: 30th April 2009) Effective today we have shifted Swanny’s Family photos to his other personal blog page on Old Blogger Mates Panorama (hotlink).
Lucknow Dinner Friday 14th November 2008
Back Row, Fred Phillips,Terry Simons. Then from lhs – John Reardon, C Pryor, Neil Swanson, Trevor Webb, Peter Michell, Barry Cornish, Michael Clarke.
(Photographs above by Jack Madron’s daughter Teresa)
Click thumbnail images to open in a larger page and mouseover for titles
(26 April 2009) Below are 3 B/W photos scanned by Swanny for Leonard (Blondie) Nicholls, Bugler “S” Company, Jamaica, now living in Scotland.
Bob Fox, C Pryor, Swanny, J Madron, Bodmin Open Day 2008
4/5th Bn DCLI A Coy Penzance in 1960s. Back row, Chris Matthews, D Freeman,?,?,?.? ? ? ? Front row,? David Murley,Mike(Nobby) Clarke,? Graham Robertson
George Stevens and Neil Swanson 16th Intake Bodmin Depot, early 1954
Recent news clipping from Swanny
Gaz Watson Farewell at Lands End to Jon o Groats
Gaz Watson Farewell
Gaz Watson (ex RSM) at Lands End who is walking to John o’ Groats via the Coastal Path for The Army Benevolent Fund. The walk should take 61 days; he set off on 20th April 2009. (ex RSM) Terry Joll, Bob Fox, Mike (Nobby) Clarke from West Cornwall DCLI Association were present to give Gaz a Cornish send off on his long trek to Scotland, he left at 7AM.
Clip in from Swanny depicting the withdrawal of The Rifles from Basra
RM Sgnt. Earlier years.
Bert Angwin and myself with Maj, P.Michell our Branch President at the War Memorial Battery Rocks, Penzance on Armistice Day 2007
21 responses so far ↓
Editor // November 15, 2008 at 10:40 pm |
LUCKNOW DINNER PHOTOS
Many thanks ‘Ole Mate.
Get Well Soon. God Bless you
Derek
Jack Madron // November 16, 2008 at 8:53 pm |
Hi Ed.
The above photo’s were taken by my daughter Teresa. I’ve taken some but haven’t put them on PC yet. Will get around to it as soon as possible. I have got two nice ones of Doris and Swanny and Trevor Webb and Barry Cornish.
ED: Thanks Jack, Teresa’s contributions duly acknowledged.
Swanny Swanson // November 16, 2008 at 10:43 pm |
ED, Doris and I would like to thank you for kind words on the write up you have given me, we both felt humbled with your kind words etc on your write up of me on our new Blog page Neil (Swanny) Swanson.
It has been a very happy day for Doris and I as we went out today with Doris’s sister to the local market and when we got home our daughters and families had laid on a birthday meal etc for Doris’s 70th Birthday, which is 18th November Tuesday next. Again Derek many thanks for your kind words and deeds, I treasure very much our close friendship with you and Audrey and hopefully meet with in the near future. Also Derek being on our website you have brought so many of us so close as all the contributers of our Regimental site has shown over the past few years, long may it remain.
Swanny.
ED: Thanks Swanny, you deserve our thanks ‘Ole Mate. Happy Birthday to Doris also. Selected Birthday Bash photos now published.
Paul (Barney) Barnes // December 5, 2008 at 2:44 pm |
Glad to say that Swanny has had his Op, and as far as is known has been successful, it appears that Neil was on the table from 0830hrs until 1730hrs on the 3rd December 08. A monumental battle has been fought by Neil, but as we all know it’s not over yet. Neil is in the Intensive Care unit at the moment, but all signs are for a good recovery. Please continue your support for Neil and his family, as they have all been extremely brave, keep sending out your loving, healing thoughts and prayers to Neil and his family.
Well done to all.
Regards
Barney.
Barry Cornish // December 7, 2008 at 10:19 pm |
Thank you Paul. I really appreciate the latest news on Neil. He has certainly ‘been through the mill’ but his positive outlook and unfailing good humour will stand him in good stead for his continuing battle to recovery.
He and his family are continually in my thoughts and prayers and we who are within a reasonable distance of Penzance will do anything that we can to help him, Doris and their family.
ED: Here is the most recent update (verbatim) from Donald Swanson Jnr.
It has been a few days since Dad’s Operation and I thought I should send out a brief message to let you know how he is getting on. Firstly, thank you all for your kind wishes, which both Dad and Mum really appreciate. Whilst I would prefer to reply to everyone individually, it is much easier to update you all in one go, so please excuse the seemingly impersonal nature of these email updates, but it makes it easier and quicker for me and ensures you all get the same information.
Despite coming through his operation well, Dad has suffered a minor set back in his recovery; overnight on Thursday he experienced some difficulty with his breathing, caused by an excess in internally draining fluids. He was unable to cough properly due to being anaesthetics and subsequently required the assistance of a ventilator. He remains in a stable condition, but in order to guarantee his comfort, he has been given some extra sedation and continues to use the support of the ventilator.
Consequently, he will be remaining in the IT for a while longer. We spent some time with him yesterday and his physical appearance is amazing, save the multitude of bits medical apparatus to which he is wired! He is unable communicate verbally, due to his airway being restricted by the ventilator tube, though this hasn’t stopped him trying!
I phoned the hospital this morning and spoke with the duty Staff Nurse. She told me that she had been trying to communicate with him using a pen and paper. He wrote one word – ‘Penzance’, which indicates where he wants to be!
The level of care being provided by the nursing staff is absolutely second to none and we are delighted that he is in safe hands.
Throughout these difficult times, Mum is comforted by your good wishes and has asked me to thank you all for your support.
I will update you further when I have some news.
Donald
Derek Lovemore #22935157 // December 23, 2008 at 12:41 pm |
SWANNY UPDATE
I spoke to Doris just 5 minutes ago and she reported that Swanny will be in hospital for another couple of weeks until the doctors can get his swallowing action functioning. He’s not able to take fluids by mouth and it sounds as if they’re feeding him by tube. He’s very weak still but nursing staff are getting him out of bed for some short walks and sitting up. Doris said that he tries to talk but is still very poorly.
I passed on our thoughts and prayers and hopes for a prompt recovery and Doris said that his face will light up when she reports my call.
Get Well soon ‘Ole Mate and if you happen to read this – we miss your banter and bull and look forward to seeing you in print again very soon.
Editor Derek Lovemore // January 4, 2009 at 5:54 pm |
UPDATE ON SWANNY FROM DON Jnr
Broadcast request copied from direct email
Since my last update on Dad, there have been a few twists and turns in the medical plan for his care, but essentially he is getting better, though not without minor complication. He is regaining his voice and able communicate much better, but I fear he is in danger of over using it at this early stage!!
The medical team have advised him that they suspect that he may have experienced some sort of stroke during his operation whilst he was under the anesthetic. This is an explanation they have provided for the fact that he is still unable to swallow sufficiently well to eat or drink; when attempting to do so, a malfunctioning epiglottis is allowing some of the consumed product to go into the lungs rather than down into the newly manufactured stomach.
Dad had hoped to be able to sit at his computer and provide you with this update himself; he was allowed home temporarily over the festive period, and he said he was feeling much better. I sensed that the period of rest at home has done him well. However he has now experienced complications with the input of his fluids and nutrition; as he is unable to take anything by mouth his food and drink are administered by means of a machine which I have not seen so cannot explain! This machine frequently malfunctions, requires attention from nursing staff as it is something which cannot be rectified at home without their assistance. Sadly, this has been the case again over the past days.
As a consequence of not receiving minimal fluids/nutrition he is feeling very weak and so that he can receive the relevant level of care, he has been re-admitted to Treliske hospital and is waiting to see his consultant.
I hope to be going down to visit him in the next few days and I will try and update you further from there.
With best regards
Donald
John Tenniswood // January 4, 2009 at 6:19 pm |
Thank you Donald. What ward is Swanny in please?
Derek Lovemore #22935157 // January 5, 2009 at 10:57 pm |
G’day Swanny
I’m hoping that at some time in the near future, you’ll get to read this message, written on behalf of your Old Mates – doing it easy, while you tough it out – back in Treliske. We’re with you in spirit ‘Ole Mate and hoping that you’ll get your system back in working order real soon.
Can’t be much fun stuck in the ward with all those nurses with big tits and legs up to their armpits and wishful smiles on their faces. Must be real tough – you having to get a body rub twice a day – worse than the bloody Light Infantry.
Anyhow Swanny, all the gang miss your banter and bullshit and we need a fresh injection of updated stories of your antics around the wards!!
Get Well Soon Old Son.
Best Regards from all the boys.
JT // January 6, 2009 at 3:52 pm |
Swanny
Well Well, so what’s this about you getting 2 body rubs when you were in the Light Infantry?
Did your platoon get special visits from Cardie?
Terry Joll // January 26, 2009 at 8:54 pm |
I wish to add that on the occasions that I managed to get in to see Swanny I can confirm that he had the very best treatment from the Doctors and his Nurses. He had his own personal Nurse, us other poor buggers had to share one between three of us.
Good to hear that the old devil is on the mend again.
Terry
Swanny Swanson // January 29, 2009 at 3:57 pm |
Thanks Terry for your kind remarks ie Nurses, I have now 2 lovely nurses who call twice a week to change my feeder dressing, in our bedroom I might add??
ALL, I am going on very well at home, now having yoghourts 4 times a day as well as my Osmolite on my feeding machine which takes me from 6pm till 7am in the morning, leaving me me free from the feeder machine all day to move around and be taken for short trips in the car, on the PC etc and I am feeling stronger as the days go on. Hopefully put on some extra fat on my skinny body over the next few months. I get regular visits from former DUKES which I appreciate so much also daily phone calls from mates from afar as Scotland etc.
Again I would like to thank you all for your kind thoughts, Swanny.
ED: Who’s getting better then? 2 sheilas in his bedroom to change dressings! – Bloody Coal Shed all over again! Doris – send the Old Devil back to work!
JT // January 30, 2009 at 6:09 pm |
Swanny
Expect you are interested in this Clean Coal Technology. Look at the soap you might have saved and that coal dust – you know where.
Paul (Barney) Barnes // February 12, 2009 at 2:40 pm |
Hi to all and especially Neil and family. Ain’t been on here recently, so I suppose I’d better take some extras? Glad that Old Swanny is coming along OK, I really must get down to PZ and see him, didnt get to the hospital when he was there, as every time I had the chance, he was not too well, or I had a cold and flu so didnt want to cross contaminate.
Keep up the good work Swanny, and get back to fitness soon, thinking of you and the family as always, take care me old mate.
Paul B.
Editor in Brisbane // August 30, 2009 at 11:35 pm |
UPDATE TO IMAGES ABOVE
(29th August 2009) Swanny has just emailed this old print of his RMR days, now doctored to best rendition. He tells me that it has been sent off to Dave Besley, newly discovered by John Billett, living in Bridgewater, Somerset.
On another note, I enjoyed the hospitality of Swanny and Doris while at the Cassino Dinner and Bodmin Open Day weekend (late June 2009). It was a real pleasure to catch up with my ‘Ole Mate again, from Bermuda days and to enjoy a beer or two at the Heamoor British Legion Club.
Keep Well Swanny and Good Luck!
Sylvia // September 21, 2009 at 12:21 am |
Swanny
You have given 50 years of support to our Regiment, because you can no longer lead the parade doesn’t mean that your support will be valued less. You will always be the gentleman to look up to as a leader amongst men.
Margaret Royffe // September 21, 2009 at 5:24 pm |
I second all Sylvia’s remarks Swanny. XX
Editor // September 21, 2009 at 1:52 am |
A young lad who once hailed from Newlyn
A Guiness he sinks, now and then.
All his Regiment’s ties; we do swear
At Parades he does frequently wear,
Each time to get a pint thrown in!
SWANNY SWANSON // September 21, 2009 at 4:44 pm |
Ed, nice bit of poetry thanks, to write poetry as you do you must have been a keen pupil at school, or was it while we were doing our Army Education Tests. I was never a good pupil for learning, always dreaming when at school, didn’t do bad in exams in later years, going on courses in the TA etc, but took me nearly twenty odd years before I got senior rate.
ED: G’Day Mate. Limericks, poetry and prose always fascinated me from childhood. The Lure of the Limerick is quite an adventure in terms of English expression and some very clever writers have left their mark on society.
SWANNY SWANSON // September 29, 2009 at 10:05 am |
ED, I just thought I would just write a little note about Rex Trevor Wallis, as I said on MMG Blog about him would put an insight on his life.
I would like to say this on a personal note. I had been for years trying to get Rex to join our DCLI Association but to no avail, but this year after his various ailments, out of the blue he arrived at our West Indies Re-Union at Heamoor RBL and he joined the West Cornwall Branch. He said to me how he regretted not joining when previously asked. With hindsight this is the case of so many still in our area not joining and not knowing the close friendship that we all enjoy being a part of our close relationship of the DCLI Associations in Cornwall. Again (RIP) REX WALLIS.
Editor in Brisbane // October 28, 2009 at 3:27 am |
G’Day Swanny,
Just re-read your Comment and digested your remarks about Rex arriving at Heamoor – out of the blue. I failed to register that until now and must say how pleased I was (personally) to be there at that time. I had in fact, some weeks earlier picked up Rex’s message (on looking for Old Mates) on the BLI Guestbooks and initiated an inquiry back to our own blogs, where I think Jack Madron identified him.
Anyway, all that aside, we were privileged to get to know Rex over that short time, and further at the Old Blogger’s Dinner. He certainly appeared to enjoy himself and we have him captured on our Re-Union photo records.