George Swetman

[artyhughes]

It is with great sadness that I report the death of George Swetman,George passed away today 7th February 2020.George made many contributions to this forum,his posts will be sadly missed.RIP and stand easy George.

[mack]

that's dreadful news arty,he came on the forum last week,so I thought he may have been rallying a bit

RIP George

mack

[Timberman]

RIP George

His contributions and help on the forum will be greatly missed.

Neil

[rafboy]

RIP George. I will miss you.
Cliff

[Tim Bell]

Rest in Peace George
A lively and interesting contributor.
Tim

[PhilipG]

I have always assumed that he joined the Regiment just after WW2.    For some reason, too,I formed an impression that he lived in retirement in the Portsmouth region, but could, of course, be entirely wrong. What I do know was that we had some good conversations through the forum, but sadly never met.   A great gentleman.  PhilipG.

[artyhughes]

Phillip,George was a WW11 soldier,he served with the Border Regiment,was part of the glider force that landed at Arnhem,he evaded being taken prisoner by the Germans,after the war he was posted to the Manchester Regiment in Wuppertal 1949,that was when I first met George he was an accomplished horseman,I was employed as a regimental groom in the battalion stables at that time,we quickly became friends.The battalion then moved to Berlin,I returned to duty in the Mortar Platoon under Captain Bonner,George was B company.
When the battalion went to Malaya George was still B Company in a place named Kroh,I was in Support Company in a place called Kulim.
George was tasked with the forming of The Sarawak Rangers,he has written many posts on this regiment.
When George was demobilised he became a staunch member of the 8th Ardwick Battalion Manchester Regiment OCA,in 1998 I became chairman of the Preston Branch of the regimental association,George and his wife Alice attended all our meetings and social functions.
In I think 2010 George and Alice moved to Hants with thier son Sean,over the many years I have known George and Alice we have always kept in touch,someday I will meet up with my friend at the Big Re Organisation in the sky.I trust Phillip this has put some light on George.
I look forward to your posts and comments on the forum,Keep Well,Roy (arty)

[charlie]

I'm deeply saddened to learn of George's passing. Perhaps he will meet his old friend Otto the ex-Uhlan riding master once again. Behüt dich Gott, es hatte nicht sollen sein. (George knows its meaning)
Charlie

[PhilipG]

Roy,

Many thanks indeed for your description of George's military career.  For my part, WW2 turned me into what was known as a "Driver- Airframe" which allowed one some control over one's wartime endeavours.  For instance, the avoidance of an aircraft in which a notice in the cockpit advised "do not spin this aircraft".    No such advice for George.    He was confined in an aircraft without an engine, dependent upon the expertise of personnel in the towing aircraft as to when and where to effect the release of the glider, an exercise which was not always successful, as the invasion of Sicily in 1943 by the airborne Borders reports.   A brave soldier.    PhilipG.

[artyhughes]

I'm deeply saddened to learn of George's passing. Perhaps he will meet his old friend Otto the ex-Uhlan riding master once again. Behüt dich Gott, es hatte nicht sollen sein. (George knows its meaning)
Charlie

God preserve you, it was not meant to be.

[themonsstar]

RIP George

You will be sadly missed by your family and friends.
💖💚 From a young jungle basher.