Background
Swinton is the son of Brigadier Alan Henry Campbell Swinton of Kimmerghame, Military Cross (born 15 March 1896) and wife, Mariora Beatrice Evelyn Rochfort Alers-Hankey (born 1900).
Swinton is the son of Brigadier Alan Henry Campbell Swinton of Kimmerghame, Military Cross (born 15 March 1896) and wife, Mariora Beatrice Evelyn Rochfort Alers-Hankey (born 1900).
The Swinton family is an ancient Anglo-Scots family that can trace its lineage to the High Middle Ages. Swinton was commissioned into the Scots Guards in 1944: he was twice wounded at the end of World World War World War II He also served in Malaya during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation and was mentioned in despatches. He was promoted to Major-General and made Major-General Commanding the Household Division and General Officer Commanding London District in 1976.
He retired in 1979.
In 1980, he became a Deputy Lieutenant for Berwickshire: he went on to be Lord Lieutenant of Berwickshire from 1989 to 2000 and escorted the Stone of Scone back to Scotland in 1996. (see Clan Swinton). He lives at Kimmerghame House in Duns in Berwickshire.