Temporary Captain, 12th Battalion, Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment). Killed in action 18 August 1916. Aged 27. Son of Edward Constable Squires and Ann Eliza Squires, of 25, Cliff Parade, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex; husband of Gertrude Squires (although his medal card states his widow to be Mrs E C Squires, Villino Vergerio, Grandola, Val Honaggio, Lago di Como, Italy. Awarded the Military Cross (M.C.). Buried in FLATIRON COPSE CEMETERY, MAMETZ, Somme, France. Plot III. Row I. Grave 5. London Gazette Citation for Military Cross 20 October 1916, page 23: Temp. Lt. Edward Constable Squires, W York. R. For conspicuous gallantry in action. As signalling officer he repeatedly repaired wires under fire. Later, he volunteered for work in the firing line, and successfully constructed a strong point in the most advanced part of the line. He has done other fine work. Extract from War Service of the Staff of Coutts & Co. 1914-1918: EDWARD CONSTABLE SQUIRES EDWARD CONSTABLE SQUIRES came as a clerk to Coutts & Co. at 440 Strand on 10th September 1909, and on 27th January 1913 had enlisted in the 15th County of London (Civil Service Rifles). When mobilised on 4th August 1914, he was 25 years and 6 months of age, and was working in the Securities Department. He was almost immediately selected for a commission, and on 3rd December 1914 was gazetted to the West Yorkshire Regiment and posted to the 14th Battalion at Penzance. He was promoted Lieutenant on the 24th February 1915, and on the 8th April 1916 joined the 12th Battalion at Meteren in France. He was at first appointed Intelligence Officer, but he only retained the position a short time as he preferred duty as a Platoon Commander. The Battalion served in the line in the Locre sector from the 30th April 1916 to the 24th May, when they returned to billets at Bailleul. On the 6th June they again entered the line in the Ypres sector, and returned to billets on the 16th. The Battalion was then sent to La Panne to train for the coming offensive. On the 23rd June, during this period of training, he was promoted Captain and given command of his Company. On the 1st July the Battalion moved forward to the Somme area, and after many strenuous days launched an attack at Bazentin ridge. The morning of the 22nd saw them attacking near Longueval and the fighting lasted several days. On the 16th August the Battalion were again heavily engaged taking part in an attack near Guillemont, and on the 18th they made repeated fierce attacks at Maltz Horn Ridge, south of Trones Wood. About 4 a.m. on this day, whilst leading his men, he was fatally hit in the right side and arm. He was found by his commanding officer about 7 a.m. unconscious, and died at 9 a.m. He was buried on the west side of Maltz Horn Ridge, but his body was later removed to the British Cemetery at Bazentin, N.E. Albert. For his conduct on the 23rd and 24th July he was recommended by his commanding officer for the Military Cross. The following is the official record from the London Gazette, 12th October: “For conspicuous gallantry in action. As Signalling Officer he repeatedly repaired wires under fire. Later he volunteered for work in the firing line and successfully constructed a strong point in the most advanced part of the line. He has done other fine work.

jane elder