Cpl James William Squire 8th Battalion

[cclayton]

I thought that I would contribute some information about my Grandfather James William Squire as a prelude to asking for some help with further information!

He enlisted 1914 at Wrexham into Royal Welsh Fusiliers Regtl no. 12549. From his medal card we know he was Lance Corpral
Disembarked Gallipoli on 28^th June 1915 “This means that he almost certainly served with the 8^th Battalion which left England on 18^th June 1915. The 8^th was the first Service Battalion of the RWF to be raised, and it served throughout the war with 13^th (Western) Division.” Information from Brian Owen, Curator, The Royal Welch Fusiliers Regimental Museum.

He was back in Britain by November 1916 when he married in Wallasey He is described as “Corporal 3rd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers” His residence is given as “military camp at Litherland” (near Liverpool) which ties up with him being in 3rd battalion. I assume that he had been wounded, unless the RWF were in the habit of granting home leave to soilders who wanted to marry!

The family has recently discovered a poem that he wrote while in the trenches at Gallipoli An Eastern Dawn transcription 2.pdf

I attach a photograph of James and his wife Amy

Carl Clayton

James and Amy wedding.jpg

[Baconwallah]

Thanks for the info, Carl. Your assumption that Cpl Squire was sent back wounded or sick to the UK is probably correct. He was discharged "no longer fit for war service" 22/10/1918. Unfortunately his service and pension records were destroyed in the Blitz.

It seems that your grandfather and I share an appreciation of Omar the Tentmaker. I certainly like the poem.

John

[cclayton]

Hi Baconwallah

Thanks. Yes the poem is special. I don't think my Grandfather thought of himself as a poet but he obviously understood Omar Khayyam and was able to put his own thoughts into verse very well.

It is a problem that I can't see his service record. I have some stories of his war service from the family and I am trying to tack down details. One thing I want to do is to find out if he could have been on the troopship Transylvania which was torpedoed in the Med in 1917.

Carl

[Baconwallah]

Can't help you there, Carl. I'm more of a 1st Bn man. But there may be other members who have something to contribute.

John