Edwin (Ted) Essery Swales was born in Inanda, Kwa-Zulu-Natal on 3 July 1015. He was a twin and one of four children born to farmer Harry and Olive Swales.

After his father died, Olive and her children moved to Berea, Durban. Edwin was educated at Durban High School and was a member of the 4th Durban Scout Troop. He enjoyed sport, especially rugby and would play in many civilian and military teams throughout his life. On leaving school, he worked for Barclays Bank, DC & O (Dominion Colonial and Overseas) in Durban.

Edwin joined the Natal Mounted Rifles between 30 June 1935 and 31 May 1939, rejoining on 4 September 1939 once the Second World War broke out. He saw action in Kenya, Abyssinia and North Africa and rose to the rank of Sergeant Major.

He transferred to the South African Air Force on 17 January 1942, receiving his wings at Kimberley on 26 June 1943 as a Second Lieutenant. He was then seconded to the Royal Air Force on 21 August 1943 retaining his South African Air Force uniform and rank.

During his flying training at RAF Little Rissington, Gloucestershire, he was depicted as a typical young airman in a red charcoal drawing by Sir William Rothenstein, now held at the R.A.F. Museum in Hendon, London.

After heavy bomber conversion training he was posted to the elite R.A.F. Pathfinder Force with No. 582 Squadron at Little Staughton, Huntingdonshire flying Avro Lancaster heavy bombers. His first operational flight took place on 12 July 1944 and he was promoted to Captain on 4 November 1944.

He was awarded a DFC for his part in a daring daylight raid as number two pathfinder, marking the Gremberg railway yards at Cologne on 23 December 1944. The citation reads:

This Officer was pilot and Captain of an aircraft detailed to attack Cologne in December, 1944. When approaching the target, intense anti-aircraft fire was encountered. Despite this, a good bombing attack was executed. Soon afterwards the aircraft was attacked by five enemy aircraft. In the ensuing fights, Capt. Swales manoeuvred with great skill. As a result, his gunners were able to bring effective fire to bear upon the attackers, one of which is believed to have been shot down. Throughout this spirited action Captain Swales displayed exceptional coolness and captaincy, setting a very fine example. This Officer has completed very many sorties during which he has attacked a variety of enemy targets.

Edwin lost his life two months later on 23 February 1945 acting as Master Bomber for a raid on Pforzheim – his 43rd operational flight. His Lancaster III (PB538) was attacked by a Messerschmitt Bf110 heavy fighter losing two engines and puncturing the fuel tanks. Limping home, he ordered his crew to bail out as the weather closed in, after which he attempted to crash land. Sadly, the aircraft stalled on approach, crashing near Valenciennes in Northern France. He was 29 years old.

For this action, he was posthumously awarded the VC, the citation in the London Gazette of 20th April 1945, gives the following detail:

Captain Swales was the `master bomber' of a force of aircraft which attacked Pforzheim on the night of 23rd February 1945. Over the target the aircraft was repeatedly attacked by an enemy fighter and severely damaged, two engines being put out of action. Captain Swales remained to issue aiming instructions until he was satisfied that the attack had achieved its purpose. By skilful flying he was able to bring the aircraft back to friendly territory, where he ordered the crew to bail out. The aircraft became gradually more difficult to control and, as the last of the crew jumped, it plunged to earth; Captain Swales was found dead at the controls. Intrepid in attack, courageous in the face of danger, he did his duty to the last, giving his life that his comrades might live.

His body was initially buried at Fosse’s USA Cemetery but was recovered and reburied at CWGC Leopoldsburg War Cemetery on 28 November 1946 in plot VIII.C.5.

Edwin is the only South African Air Force pilot to be a pathfinder master bomber and be posthumously awarded the VC.