SWARTS, Jack Bertram

DIVISIONAL UNIT:        3rd Canadian Infantry Division
                                             9th Infantry Brigade
                                             58th Battalion  -  Central Ontario
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
AWARDS:                          Military Medal
SERVICE NO:                   127512
DATE OF BIRTH:            February 24, 1893
                                             Wingham – Township of Turnberry – County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           September 30, 1918             25 years     7 months
CEMETERY:                     Quarry Wood Cemetery – Sains-les-Marquion
                                             Pas de Calais – France
                                             II     A     8
BROTHER:                        Mr. Clare Swartz – Goderich / Toronto 
Occupation:                        Hotel Keeper                        Religion:     Presbyterian
Enlistment:                         October 19, 1915 – Goderich into 71st Battalion
Enlistment Age:                 22 years     7 months

Private Swartz sailed from Canada on November 1, 1916 and arrived overseas in Liverpool on November 11, 1916. At the end of the month he transferred to the 58th Battalion based at Dibgate – Kent. Shortly following this he went overseas into France and joined his unit at the end of January 1917.
In November of 1917 he was appointed Lance Corporal. Then he was appointed to the rank of Corporal in mid December. Then he was sent back to England so Corporal Swartz could try for his commission 
Sometime between November and mid December 1917 was when Lance Corporal Swartz was awarded the Military Medal. This was official in mid January of 1918. In early February 1918 while at Officer Training was when he earned his commission. He then returned to his unit at the end of August 1918.
His records state that Lieutenant Swartz was wounded on September 29, 1918 but remained on duty. However, the war diaries of the 58th Battalion state Lieutenenat Swartz was killed on September 29, 1918.
For three days the Canadian Corps had been advancing and attacking the Marcoing Line and were making progress but this was a fight that they had to win. The Battalions of the 3rd & 4th Divisons were battle weary, exhausted and their numbers were being depleted. They were able to capture the villages of Tilloy and Tilloy Hill and during the advance and attack they were always under heavy enemy fire and their positions were never a positive thing and were tenuous. May of the Battalions had suffered very high casualties and some were at Company strength. 
On September 28th the Battalion was located near the Marcoing Line and in the evening at 7 pm the 58th was ordered to advance and take this position. They advanced and following very severe fighting the objective was taken. We cannot say from our research if it was during this advance when Lieutenenat Swartz was killed.
September 29th the Battalion was located at St. Olie and following the capture of the Marcoing Line the advance was to continue on this day with the objective being St Olie. The advance took place between the Baupaume – Cambrai Road and the Arras – Cambrai Road. Posts were then to be established along the Marcoing Line to the Canal. By 3 pm the 116th had taken St Olie and a new line was established between St. Olie and and Petite Fontaine.
Lieutenant Swarts was killed in action while advancing with his men near St Olie and Petite Fontaine.