John Swayne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir John Swayne
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Lieutenant General Swayne in 1942.
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| Nickname(s) | "Jack" |
| Born | 3 July 1890 Warminster, Wiltshire, England |
| Died | 16 December 1964 (aged 74) London, England |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1911−1946 |
| Rank | Lieutenant-general |
| Service number | 17966 |
| Unit | Somerset Light Infantry Royal Northumberland Fusiliers |
| Commands held | 1st Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers 4th Infantry Division South-Eastern Command Chief of the General Staff (India) |
| Battles/wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Commander of the British Empire |
Lieutenant-General Sir John George des Reaux Swayne (born July 3, 1890 – died December 16, 1964) was an important officer in the British Army. He was known as "Jack" to his friends. During World War II, he became a very senior commander, leading the South-Eastern Command.
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Sir John Swayne's Army Journey
John Swayne was born in 1890 in Warminster, England. His father, William Swayne, was a bishop. John went to Charterhouse School and then to the University of Oxford.
In 1911, he officially joined the Somerset Light Infantry as an officer. This means he was given a leadership role in the army.
Serving in World War I
Swayne fought in the First World War. This was a huge global conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918. During the war, he became a prisoner of war. This means he was captured by the enemy and held until the war ended.
Roles Between the Wars
After World War I, Swayne took on several important jobs in the army:
- He became an aide-de-camp (a personal assistant) to a top general in India.
- In 1924, he became the adjutant for his regiment. An adjutant helps manage the daily activities and records of a military unit.
- He worked as a general staff officer at the War Office in 1927. The War Office was the part of the government that managed the army.
- In 1929, he became a brigade major for the 7th Infantry Brigade. This role involves helping a brigade commander plan and carry out missions.
- He was a military assistant to the Chief of the Imperial General Staff in 1930. This was the most senior professional soldier in the British Army.
- In 1934, he was the chief of staff for an international group in the Saar region of Germany. This group was there to help with a special vote called a Plebiscite.
- He became the commanding officer (CO) of the 1st Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers in 1935. As CO, he was in charge of this entire battalion.
- In 1937, he became the chief instructor at the Staff College, Camberley. This college trains army officers to be good leaders and planners.
Leading in World War II
Swayne played a key role in the Second World War. This war lasted from 1939 to 1945.
- He first led the British Military Mission to the French Grand Quartier Général. This was the main headquarters for the French army.
- From 1941, he was the general officer commanding (GOC) the 4th Division. A division is a large army unit.
- In 1942, he became the chief of the general staff for Home Forces. This meant he helped plan the defense of Britain itself.
- Later in 1942, he was appointed the GOC-in-C of South Eastern Command. This was a very senior position, putting him in charge of a large area and many troops in southeastern England.
- His last major job was in 1944. He became the chief of the General Staff in India. This made him the top military planner for the British forces in India.
Sir John Swayne retired from the army in 1946. He passed away in 1964 at the age of 74.
