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Cenotaph Stories

Swayze, David Alexander

Rank
Cadet
Service No.
74321
Unit
Royal Flying Corps
Died
06 October, 1917
Age 22
Buried
Dunnville Riverside Cemetery, Haldimand County, Ontario, Canada
Remembrance:
First World War Book of Remembrance - Page 581
Additional Info

Son of William Davis Swayze and Margaret Eleanor Swayze, of 42, Bond St., Lindsay, Ont.

Ernest Alexander Swayze, who was known as David to his family, was born 5 April 1895 in Dunnville, Ontario. He was the 5th oldest of 7, and served as a pilot cadet training out of Camp Borden. His youngest brother, Keith, also served as a pilot with the RFC and was sent to France just one week before David died. Keith would eventually be shot down, taken as a POW, and died of blood poisoning in 1920 after being released and returned home. There is no service record available with enlistment dates for David since he was a cadet that died in Ontario, but there are basic records recording what happened in his accident.

David graduated from Osgoode Hall and was scheduled to be called to the bar just one month before his death. There is also a mention of him being an Aircraft Mechanic 3rd Class, but a record to confirm this has not been found. His father was the county judge for Victoria and Haliburton for 16 years and his brother Keith had also been called to the bar, so the family business seems to have been the legal profession.

David Swayze is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Haldimand, ON. He was 22 years old.

Transcription:

AVIATOR KILLED AT BORDEN

FELL OVER 800 FEET

Cadet David A. Swayze, Son of Judge Swayze, Lindsay, Had Brilliant Career at Osgoode Hall.

Cadet David A. Swayze of the Royal Flying Corps, eldest son of Judge Swayze, of Lindsay, was accidentally killed at Camp Borden on Saturday last. The young aviator had just returned from a flight about noon and was in doubt us to whether he would make another flight or not.

Another machine returned from a flight and Cadet Swayze determined that he would take another trip in the air. Having ascended into a cloud five hundred feet from the earth, his machine took a side tilt and crashed headlong to the ground. It was too near the earth to give Cadet Swayze a chsnce to right it.

Cadet David Swayze, who was 22 years of age, joined the Flying Corps in July last but did not make his first flight until September. He was a native of Dunnvllle and attended High school there. After a brilliant career at Osgoode Hall, Cadet Swayze graduated with honors last spring and would have been called to the bar next month.

The body was taken to Lindsay on Sunday and full military honors will be accorded the deceased cadet at the funeral at Dunnville this afternoon.

His brother, Flight-Lieut. "Pete" (Keith) Swayze, joined the Royal Flying Corps earlier this year and went overseas one week before Cadet Davis Swayze was killed.

Toronto Evening Telegram - October 9, 1917

 

FELL OVER 500 FEET

Cadet D. A. Swayze, Son of Judge Swayze, Lindsay, Accidentally Killed at Camp Borden.

Cadet David A. Swayze. of the R.F. C., eldest son of Judge Swayze, of Lindsay, was killed in an accident at Camp Borden. After returning: from a flight about noon on Saturday he decided to take another trip. Having ascended into a cloud feet from earth, his machine slide-tilted and crashed to the ground. Cadet Swayze was 22 years of age. He joined the Flying Corps last July, and made his first flight in September. He graduated from Osgoode Hall last spring with honors, and would have been called to the bar next month. The funeral took place yesterday after-noon at Dunnville, where he was born, with full military honors. His brother Flight Lieut. Keith Swayze went overseas with the R. F. C. a week before Cadet David Swayze was killed.

 

Lieut. Swayze Missing.

Flight-Lieut. A. K. Swayze, son of Judge Swayze of Lindsay, has been reported missing since September 4. He has been on active service since March 1 of this year, and is in his 20th year. He was a first year law student in Toronto when he enlisted. A brother D. A. Swayze, was accidentally killed while flying at Camp Borden a year ago.

The Toronto Star - September 14, 1918