George William Squire
- Family History
- Military history
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George William Squire was born on 28th September 1897 at Derby he was baptised on 20th October 1897 at St Andrews Church, Derby he was the son of William Henry an electrical fitter and Ellen Squire née Howitt
His father William Henry was born in 1872 at Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire, his mother Ellen Howit was born in 1878 in Derbyshire, they were married on 8th March 1897 at St Alkmund Church, Derby, they had 3 children, sadly 1 was to die in infancy or early childhood.
In 1901, they lived at 55, Becket Street, Derby.
In the 1911 census the famiy are living at 83 Osmanton Road, Derby William Henry 39 yrs is a licensed victualler he is living with is sonsGeorge William 13 yrs a scholar and Horace 9 yrs a scholar, also living with the family is Susie Fisher 18 yrs a domestic servant.
George's father later lived in Adelaide, Cape Province, South Africa (CWGC). At the time of her son's death, Ellen lived in All Souls parish at 92, Kimbolton Avenue, Ilkeston Road, Radford, Nottingham.
At some date he emigrated to South Africa,
Private George William Squire enlited in South Africa and served with the 4th Regt South African Infantry, he died of wounds on 21st September 1917 and is buried at Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Grave Reference: VII E 32
Commanded by Lt Colonel F.A. Jones, DSO, the 4th Regiment South African Infantry was a kilted unit, wearing the Murray of Athol tartan.
The regiment's companies were formed with volunteers from various units:
'A' Company mainly from volunteers of the Cape Town Highlanders Regiment.
'B' Company mainly from volunteers of the Transvaal Scottish Regiment's 1st Battalion.
'C' Company mainly from volunteers of the Transvaal Scottish Regiment's 2nd Battalion and
'D' Company from Caledonian Societies of the Free State and Natal.
Totalling 160 officers and 5,648 other ranks, the regiment embarked for England from Cape Town and were quartered at Bordon in Hampshire for about two months for refresher training.
After a short campaign in North Africa against a Turkish attack on the Suez Canal the SA Scottish were sent to France. Here they took part in the Battle of Delville Wood as part of the battle of the Somme in 1916. Between July 12 and 19th the total casualty rate was about 74% of those who went into action. By the end of July, the SA Scottish had suffered 868 casualties. After Delville Wood, the shattered SA Scottish were reformed and served on the Western Front at Vimy Ridge, Messines, Passchendale and Marrieres Wood. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)
12th September, 1917 the battalion prepared to move from Bapaume to Poperinghe for its role in the 3rd Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele). On the 16th ncos, and a day later the ranks in half companies, were shown a 'clay model over which forthcoming operations will take place.' Later on the 17th the unit came under heavy shellfire but reached trenches near the Menin Gate 'without a casualty.' As the South Africans waited in assembly positions, it was 'raining very hard but the men (were) very cheerful and eager.' Squire was mortally wounded late on 20th September, either as the South Africans attacked Bully Farm, Mitchell's Farm and Beck House with an 'estimated 40% casualties' or during an 'enemy counter attack beaten off with artillery and rifle fire'. Out of the line at Winnezeege three days later, 'at 9.30am the Commanding Officer addressed the officers, ncos and men of the battalion and thanked them for the work done in the operations of the 20th inst. and following days.' (4th Regt South African Infantry War Diary TNA WO 95/1785/2)
Nottingham Evening Post, Roll of Honour 25/9/1917:
'Squire - Killed in action, September 21st, Private George Squire, South African Forces. Duty nobly done. - Broken hearted mother (92, Kimbolton Avenue).'
South African records indicate Squire died of wounds.
His name is commemorated on the Bezuidenhout Valley War Memorial, South Africa
Thanks to Julian Putkowski for his help with this identifiaction.
David Nunn
Photo of George William Squire
Mendingham Military Cemetery, Belgium