Gilbert Thomas Swan papers
Scope and Contents
This collection contains documents and photographs relating to service of Gilbert T. Swan in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during World War I. Documents include the Night Order Book, 1917-1918, for the H.M.M.L. [His Majesty's Motor Launch] 393, on which Swan was the commanding officer, as well as 140 photographs of people (portraits and group photos), boats, and locations taken during Swan's service. The collection also contains fourteen literary manuscripts (fiction and non-fiction), four poems, drafts, and notes written by Swan. The titles of Swan's writings include As Strong as the Rock of Gibraltar; The Great Adventure; Homeward Bound (also called Home is the Sailor and Crime on Russian Soil); It Happened in Morocco; It's An I'll Wind; The Last Crusade; My World at Home; Once Again; The Orkney Island; The Rock; The Sign (also called Signs and Wonders); The Submarine Menace (and how we combated it); There Shall Be No More Sea; and Thoughts on the "America's" Cup Races.
Dates
- 1901-1925
Creator
- Swan, Gilbert Thomas, 1878- (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
R. Stanton Avery Special Collections material is non-circulating, requires staff retrieval, and is available to NEHGS members (Research level and above) during normal library hours.
Biographical Note
Gilbert T. Swan, son of Thomas and Mary Swan, was born 14 April 1878 in Glasgow, Scotland. Gilbert joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1916 and served on the H.M.S. Hermione, H.M.S. Argonaut, H.M T. B. 93, H.M. Drifter Betsy Jamieson, H.M.Y. Jeanette II, M.L. 393, M.L. 79, and the Cormorant. The Swan family lived in Gibraltar, where Swan was stationed, during World War I. Although discharged 20 April 1920, he remained in Gibraltar to act as 3rd Officer in charge of stores for the S.S. Itompa from 5 July to 8 October 1921. The family returned to England on the S. S. Morea 28 October 1921, travelled to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on the S.S. Arabic 3 June 1925, immigrated to the United States in 1928 and settled in New Jersey. Gilbert was employed by the Typographical Services, Co. as a proof reader.
Extent
0.83 linear feet (2 archival boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Gilbert Thomas Swan of Glasgow, Scotland was stationed in Gibraltar as a member of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during World War I. He and his family immigrated to the United States in 1928 and settled in New Jersey.
This collection contains documents and photographs relating to the military service of Gilbert T. Swan as well as fourteen literary manuscripts (fiction and non-fiction), four poems, drafts, and notes written by Swan.
Organization
- Sub-group I. Genealogy
- Sub-group II. Military records
- Sub-group III. Writings
- Sub-group IV. Graphics
Other Finding Aids
Unpublished guide to the collection is available in the library; folder level control.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift; 2010 August 10; Accession #2010-121.
Processing Information
2012 November 17; Kathryn Gillespie, Intern, Simmons College GSLIS.
- Hebrides (Scotland) -- Description and travel.
- Historical fiction
- Orkney (Scotland) -- Description and travel.
- Photographs
- Sailors -- Scotland
- World War, 1914-1918 -- Gibraltar
- World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations -- Submarine.
- World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations, British.
- World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives
Creator
- Swan, Gilbert Thomas, 1878- (Person)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the R. Stanton Avery Special Collections Repository
R. Stanton Avery Special Collections
New England Historic Genealogical Society
99-101 Newbury Street
Boston MA 02116-3007 United States
617-536-5740
617-536-7307 (Fax)
library@nehgs.org