Alexander James Thompson Swann

Swann enrolled at the University in 1892 to study for an MB ChB at the age of 19. In his first year, he enrolled to study Anatomy and Physiology. In his second year (1893-1894), he enrolled in Practical Anatomy and Clinical Surgery, third year Clinical Medicine and Practical Anatomy, fourth year Pathology, Materia Medica and Surgery, fifth year Practice of Medicine and Midwifery and finally in his sixth year from 1897-1897 he enrolled in Clinical Surgery and ‘Skin Diseases.’ Swann graduated M.B and C.M in 1898- the start of a successful career in medicine. During his years as a student, he resided at 50 Cadder Street, Pollockshields. He later took a D.P.H of the Scottish Colleges (The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons) in 1913.

He joined the West African Medical Staff in Nigeria as a Captain (Medical Officer) during WWI, after serving as surgeon to His Majesty’s Transport ‘Jelinga’ and as a civil surgeon in the South African War from 1900-1902.During his time in the West African Medical Staff he served on the S.S Apapa which was unfortunately torpedoed by a German submarine. The British Medical Journal,1917 states he was on “his way home on leave when lie lost his life.” He was unfortunately lost at sea on the S.S Apapa on the 28th November 1917, at the age of 44 years. He left behind a wife Effie J. Cassels, LRCP of Eastwood Avenue, Giffnock, Glasgow.He is remembered in the Glasgow University Roll of Honour.