Macclesfield: Forgotten war hero honoured at Bollington Discovery Centre
2024 marks the 110 years since the start of the First World War.
And for those wishing to learn about local history of the global conflict, they don't have to look far.
Last autumn, the Bollington Discovery Centre launched a new exhibit chronicling the fascinating history of a local war hero.
Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Hillier Swindells served in the Cheshire Regiment in The Great War.
He died just over 100 days before the end of the conflict, in battle, in August 1918. He was aged 44.
The fascinating exhibit, launched in association with Kerridge War Memorial - Past, Present and Future, shows fascinating artefacts that were sent to the Bollington Discovery Centre by an unknown source.
The exhibition was due to end at Christmas, but the locals and schools have responded to the exhibit so well that it has been extended for the foreseeable future.
Present-day Bollingtonian Susan Poynton volunteered her time towards the exhibit. She was one of just two volunteers from the War Memorial committee who gave their time to curate the exhibit.
"We think it is of great historical importance," said Susan.
The exhibition is the first time these documents have ever been seen to the public before.
The Kerridge War Memorial Committee said in a statement you can read at the exhibit: "Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Hillier Swindells was the commanding officer of the 4th Battalion Cheshire Regiment and was killed in action in Grand-Rozoy, France on August 1 1918, aged 44."
"Prior to this he was wounded at Suvla Bay in the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915 and, when recovered, he also served in the Palestine advance."
Fellow volunteer Becky added: "I live in Kerridge, and know that he [Swindells] is the highest ranking officer on the War Memorial."
"During COVID, the Discovery Centre received a box of artefacts anonymously, they opened the box and this exhibit is just a tiny selection of what was in that box.
"The whole box was relating to this one man. But we don't know where it was sent from. We received paintings of the trenches, drawings of Suvla Bay in Gallipoli, and they are all in pristine condition.
"We have his medals, and a journal that he wrote in every single day. Unfortunately, the journal is the only thing that is not original, as I don't wish to break the spine.
"His last diary entries are telling, the last [legible] words you can read are 'Very tired', which was wrote the day before he died.
"He died so late into the war, it is tragic."
Swindells was a former Macclesfield King's School graduate, born to parents who ran Clarence Mill. (Where the Bollington Discovery Centre now is.)
He lived with his wife at Clough Bank next to Adelphi Mill, but did not have any children of his own.
He worked as a Mill Manager, which is why he played cricket for Bollington.
In his army service, the Lieut-Colonel was the Commanding Officer of the Fourth Cheshire Battallion.
Swindells served on three continents. From Gallipoli, to Palestine, and survived a serious injury at at Moudros in Greece.
Part of the captivating possessions which were displayed include the signature of King George V following Swindells' passing, whereas another document features the signature of future Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who was then Secretary of State for War.
There are an estimated 200 documents about Swindells that have not made the exhibition.
"Basically, we have a whole history of this man's life, particularly in the war, and we think its contents are quite mind-blowing," added Becky.
"We really feel like this story should be told, and not in a box."
Beyond the exhibit's potential closure later this year, this article will serve as a digital reminder, honouring and thanking the late Bollingtonian for his service.
He was considered to be 'one of Bollington's finest sons', according to the newspapers of the day.
The Swindells family were one of the largest employers in Bollington at the time, so everyone would have known him even before his army heroism.
The Kerridge War Memorial Committee added: "Born in 1874, he was educated at Macclesfield Grammar School and then afterwards at the famous Roman Catholic Public School, Stonyhurst College."
"He joined the firm of George Swindells and Son Ltd., founded by his grandfather, the late George Swindells of Pott Hall, Pott Shrigley, and then under the management of his father, Mr George Cawley Swindells.
"He became a manager of the mills and they prospered under his control. He was active in the local community including St Gregory's church, the Urban District Council and Bollington Cricket Club. He married his wife Sybil [the daughter of Major Maitland, of Bollington] in 1908.
"What you see in this exhibition is a small snapshot of the hundreds of items (letters, sketches, paintings, telegrams, photographs, diary entries, newspaper articles etc) in this archive. It is a deeply moving collection of artefacts and by showing them publicly for the first time allows a hitherto unparalleled look at the life, service and inner thoughts of a local hero during The Great War."
"Also included in this exhibition are artefacts loaned from the descendants of other men who served and whose names are on the Kerridge War Memorial. We hope that this exhibition also helps to tell their stories too - the brave men of our community to whom we are forever indebted."
The committee have contacted the Imperial War Museum to let them know about this astounding collection of relics.
"My favourite artefact is the sketches and drawings, because they blow my mind, seeing tent after tent after tent," told Becky.
"And the fact it is over 100 years old, and it is in great condition.
"I think his wife was crippled by grief, because not only did her husband die, but I think she had brothers that died as well. And she did not have a child to carry on for, I can't even imagine [what she was going through.]"
"If you look at the history of Bollington, he rarely gets a mention, it is all about the mill side and his father and his uncle, but he did all this in the military, but it is not mentioned at all, it is very sad," added Susan.
"We aim to raise his profile, because we can't believe he isn't a known part of Bollington's history."
"You could write a movie about this guy," concluded Becky.
In the present day, there is a plaque at King's concert hall honouring Swindells.
And every July, he and all the fallen soldiers are honoured at the Kerridge War Memorial.
But beyond the Kerridge War Memorial, should there be more recognition of him?
Bollington Discovery Centre is located at Clarence Mill in Bollington, it houses a large photographic archive of the Happy Valley, and is a popular stop for those walking the canal.
The heritage museum is open from 11am to 4pm on a Saturday and Sunday, as well as 1:30pm to 4pm on a Wednesday.
Macclesfield: You can follow them on Facebook.
If you wish to volunteer at the Bollington Discovery Centre, please email [email protected].
If you wish to help the Kerridge War Memorial, please get in touch on Facebook.
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