In Memory Of
SQUIRES, RONALD
Service Details
Age:
26
Date of Birth:
-0001-11-30
Service No:
53606
Rank:
Sergeant
Regiment:
South African Artillery
Date of Death:
1942-11-28
Date of Death 2:
1942-11-29
Cause of Death:
Lost at sea on S. S. Nova Scotia, torpedoed and sunk by U-177. En route from Aden to Durban, South Africa. Carrying 6 passengers, 11 military and naval personnel, 134 South African guards and 765 Italian civil internees
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
Column 112.
Cemetery:
ALAMEIN MEMORIAL
Country:
Egypt
Additional Information
Decorations:
British Empire Medal
Citations:
LG Sup 9 September 1942 pg. 3948 - "Sgt Squires has been attached with the LAD to the 2nd A/Tk Bty SAA throughout the recent Libyan operations. Throughout this period he has worked most conscientiously and unstintingly in the execution of his duties which often entailed working late into the nights in order to keep the vehicles under his care in running order. In addition he has been unremitting in his efforts to render assistance to vehicles of other units in distress. Of his own Bty vehicles, never has one had to be abandoned except as a result of enemy action. An example of his devotion to duty is the occasion when "B" Echelon of his Bty moving with 1 SA Inf Bde "B" Echelon was forced to retire on 24 November 1941. At the time he was engaged on the repair of an immobilised 3-tonner. He refused to abandon it and took it in tow, and, on account of the load, lost contact with the main body. He was lost in the desert for several days and was reported missing. He repaired the vehicle in tow and subsequently reported to the forward elements of his Battery. He certainly saved the vehicle from destruction and probably from falling into the hands of the enemy."
Son of Percy and Carrie Squires, of Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa. Commemoration stone in Johannesburg (West Park) Cemetery
