Norman was born on the 5th August 1894, the second son of Norman McSwan and Jane Cooper. His father was a policeman but he'd died before Norman junior was born.

Prior to joining the Royal Scots Fusiliers Norman was a tailors apprentice and was living with his mother and two brothers at 29 Wallace Street, Ayr in Scotland. He served with his brother in the 1/5th Battalion and probably saw action in the Dardanelles in the summer of 1915.

He died from appendicitis on Saturday the 16th October 1915, whilst on board a hospital ship.

Many years after his death, some silk book marks were found by a relative when clearing a house. These had been given to his mother Jane, we believe by the Ayrshire Post newspaper. These words were printed on the bookmark: "I miss thee at a thousand turns Along life's weary way, Yearn for thy true and gentle heart Long thy bright smile to see Those left to me are very dear Yet none replaces thee" - from your loving mother.

This soldier, Private 7092, Norman McSwan, would have been my husband's great uncle.