Archie Sweett

Rank: 
Private
Regimental number: 
772716
Unit at enlistment: 
125th Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
Yes
Wounded: 
Yes
Cemetery: 
Farringdon Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario
Commemorated at: 
Holy Trinity Anglican Church
Birth country: 
England
Birth county: 
Devonshire
Birth city: 
Plymouth
Address at enlistment: 
15 Clarence Street, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
15 Clarence Street, Brantford, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Labourer
Employer: 
Massey-Harris Co.
Religious denominations: 
Church of England
Marital status: 
Single
Age at enlistment: 
16

Letters and documents

BX September 9, 1918

Archie Sweett Reported Wounded

To Mrs. Elizabeth Sweett, 15 Clarence Street, the turn came this morning to receive the hated yellow envelope to her son, Private Archie Sweett. He received a gunshot wound in the right arm. He was stricken on August 27, and since then has been in the 12th Stationary hospital at St. Pol. Just a few days ago the young solders twin brother Frank, left for overseas with an Ontario draft. Pte. Archie enlisted with the 125th Battalion in 1915, and before that he was an employee at the Massey-Harris works.

BX January 8, 1919

Private Archie Sweett, Military Medal – Award of Honor to Lad who Enlisted When But 15 Years of Age

Mrs. E. Sweett, 17 Clarence Street, received word from her son, Pte. Archie Sweett, that he had been awarded the Military Medal for bravery on the battlefield that day he was wounded Aug. 26, 1918.

Pte. Archie Sweett and his twin brother, Frank enlisted with the 125th Battalion when but 15 years of age, Archie being sent overseas and transferred to the P.P.C.L.I. Frank was stationed at Niagara Falls until September 1918, but is now at Witley Camp, England, with his brother Archie.

Note: Did no win the Military Medal

BX November 10, 1947

Death Calls A. Sweett of Police Force

Archie Sweett, a popular member of the Brantford Police Department for more than 18 years, died suddenly Sunday afternoon at his residence, 24 Walnut St.  He was 47 years of age and an acting sergeant in the department.

Although in ill-health for some time, he had managed to stay on duty until last Friday.  At that time he took ill and was forced to bed.  Death occurred shortly after noon.

Born in England on July 27, 1900, Sgt. Sweett came to Brantford in 1913.  Shortly after the outbreak of the First Great War and at the age of 15 he enlisted with the 125th Battalion.  Later he transferred to the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.  He was in the trenches by the time he was 17.  During hostilities he was awarded the Military Medal for outstanding service.

He joined the Brantford Police Department on his return from overseas but was there only a short time. He resigned to enter the employ of the Massey-Harris Company, but he rejoined the police force on April 1, 1930.

Chief Constable Harry Stanley, in paying tribute to Sgt. Sweett Sunday said: “We have lost a very good man.  He was conscientious, always willing and always on the job when able.  I cannot speak too highly of Archie.  He was well liked and will be missed by all.”

At the time of his death Sgt. Sweett was the department’s senior uniformed constable.  During his time with the force he handled nearly every job.  For some years he was a motorcycle constable and from 1940 until 1944 a member of the morality squad.  In recent years he had been a relief officer, relieving sergeants and members of the desk staff on their days off.  He was a member of the Brant County Police Association.

He was a lover of his home and family.  At one time he was an Odd Fellow and a member of the Canadian Legion.

Survivors, all residents of Brantford, include his widow, the former Elizabeth Stanly, whom he married Nov. 3, 1923; two daughters, Edna and Mary; a son, Archie, Jr., and a twin brother, Frank.

The body is resting at the Beckett Funeral Home, where the funeral will be conducted Wednesday afternoon.  Interment will be in Farringdon Burial Ground.

BX November 13, 1947

Sgt. Archie Sweett

Attendance was outstanding and floral tributes were in great profusion at the funeral Wednesday afternoon of Sgt. Archie Sweett, of the City Police Force.  The services were conducted in the Beckett Funeral Home and in Farringdon Burial Ground, with Rev. C.V. Tomkins of St. Luke’s and St. John’s Anglican Churches, in charge.  The high regard in which Sgt. Sweett had been held was evinced in the large attendance, which included representatives of the Brant County Bar Association, the City and Provincial Police Departments, the Fire Department, the Paris Police Department, the Canadian Legion, and many other groups.  Pallbearers, all constables on the local police force, were J.H. Davison, E.W. Standbridge, M.C. Bell, L. Butcher, F.H. Hopgood and C.M. Wagar.  The pallbearers formed a guard of honor beside the hearse.  The flower-bearers included policemen and the following members of the Canadian Legion.  Comrades B. Leishman, D. Monkman, H. Twidale and H. Kneller.