Bega Valley resident Steve Swords is the very proud custodian of his grandfather’s medals.
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Steve’s grandfather William Edward Swords was born at Mudgee, NSW towards the end of 1879.
On January 24, 1901 he joined the Australian Contingent to South Africa (Boer War 1899-1902), as a trooper in the NSW Mounted Rifles.
His war would come to an end when, during an engagement at Bethel, he was wounded in the leg on February 2,1902 and repatriated back to Australia.
Just 12 years later England was at war again and William was amongst the first to enlist on August 27, 1914. His medical examination noted a bullet mark on his left shin, (a legacy from the Boer War).
He left, from Sydney, on the HMAT A8 ‘Argyllshire’ expecting to sail to England but instead was sent to Egypt.
In 1915, now a gunner in 1st Field Artillery Brigade Ammunition Column, he joined the Mediterranean Exploration Force on April 4. The same month, the Australian troops were to land at ‘Anzac Cove’.
By July 28 he was admitted to the Alexandria General Hospital with a poisoned hand and by late August he was admitted to Bethnal Green Hospital in London with a gunshot wound to his right hand.
Towards Christmas 1915, all the troops were given a present; a tin containing fruit cake and cigarettes. William received his gift while he was recovering in hospital. He recalled that a Princess (most likely Princess Mary) visited the hospital to distribute the gifts.
William was eventually expatriated to Australia and discharged on October 4, 1916 as medically unfit.
His medals have been passed to Steve Swords who proudly wears them on Anzac Day.