Sub-Lieut Eric William Squires, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, was killed in action in the battle of Ancre on the Somme on November 13th, 1916. He was aged 24.

The son of hat manufacturer James Squires and his wife Emily, of The Mount, Hart Hill, Luton, Eric joined the public schools battalion of the Naval Reserve on November 11th, 1914. The unit was the only one allowed to use both naval and military uniform. He was in training at the Crystal Palace and obtained his commission in July 1915.

In August 1915 he went to Gallipoli and took part in an arduous campaign over five months before being one of the last to leave the peninsula on the last night of evacuation. His party were shelled by the Turks as they were embarking. He then had a few weeks rest on one of the Greek islands before being drafted to France with the whole of his division and being used as a land force that took part in the big charge. He did duty on several parts of the line and was in many battles.

Sub-Lieut Squires was educated at Dunstable Grammar School and Luton Modern School. and in his last year passed the Cambridge Senior Examination. Afterwards he went into business with his father, who was senior partner in hat manufacturing firm J. & G. Squires, of Waller Street.

He was also a member of Waller Street Wesleyan Choir, and was connected with the Sunday school from childhood. He also belonged to South Beds Golf Club and the Old Lutonians' (Modern School) Sports Club.