240227 Corporal W. Swarbick, DCM.
1/5th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment. Awarded the D.C.M. in the London Gazette of 5 December 1918. Swarbrick was a native of Padiham, Lancashire.
From the Burnley Express: -
FOUR PADIHAM HEROES HONOURED. MEDALS PRESENTED FOR BRAVE DEEDS.
As reported in our Wednesday's issue, on Monday
evening, at the Grand Theatre, Padiham, during an interval in the program
of pictures, there was an interesting ceremony of presentation of military
honours which have been awarded to four Padiham men as follows: - D.C.M. awarded
to Corporal Swarbrick, 1/5th East Lancs., whose home is at 6, Milton Street;
Military Medal and bar, French Croix de Guerre, and Divisional Honour Roses,
awarded to Sergeant Roger Ireland, of the 11th East Lancs., whose home is
at 19, Thompson Street; Military Medal to Acting Company Sergeant-Major Richard
Law, 2/5th East Lancs., whose home is at 6, Hill Street; Military Medal to
Private F. Thompson, of the Suffolk Regiment, stretcher bearer, who lives
at 7, James Street.
Councilor Ernest Wiggins, Chairman of the Padiham Urban District Council,
presided, and Mr. and Mrs. John Foster, and Mrs. T.W. Waddington, of the Padiham
Women's Emergency Association, pinned the medals on the breasts of the four
heroes amidst much applause.
The following is the report on Corporal Swarbrick's deed which earned him the D.C.M. as recorded in the London Gazette of 5 December 1918: "Corporal Swarbrick, in company with another non-commissioned officer and four men, made a determined attack, at night, on an enemy party consisting of an officer and 42 men, killing the officer, wounding two men, and taking the remainder prisoners. His courage and resource were most conspicuous."