THE LATE SERGT. JACK SQUIRE
Many were the manifestations of regret in the locality on
Friday, when the body was interred in the Weybridge cemetary of one of the most
popular young men of West Surrey - Sergt. Jack B. Squire, RAF, the eldest son of
Cllr. E. and Mrs. Squire of The Broadway.
To his hosts of friends the announcement of his death had come
as an exceptionally severe shock - it seemed impossible to realise that happy,
versatile, Jack Squire had passed over to the great majority. In the pre-war
days he was the leading light in the sport and social life of the locality. His
genius for organisation was demonstrated in many directions - notably his
numerous dances, including the brilliant annual fancy dress ball at the Holstein
Hall (one of the finest functions of its character outside London) and his co-secretaryship
of the Weybridge Whit-Monday Sports. Many concerts and entertainments - in
Weybridge and elsewhere - owed a large measure of success to his efforts.
Joining the Forces soon after the outbreak of hostilities, Jack
Squire quickly made good in the Royal Naval Air Service with the result that
before long he attained the rank of Petty Officer. He acquitted himself most
creditably in connection with important meteorological observation, not only in
England and Scotland, but for a period of about 15 months in France. He returned
to this country in order to fit up a station at Bedford.
Some five or six weeks
since he was granted sick leave, and although he remained confined to his bed,
no serious complications were anticipated. On December 21st - as mentioned in
our columns last week - he was removed to the Mount Felix Hospital in a motor
ambulance, and unfortunately his condition rapidly grew worse. Meningitis had
supervened, and an operation was performed at 2 p.m. on the following Tuesday,
but despite every care and attention by the New Zealand medical officers and
nurses, he passed away at seven o'clock.
The deceased was 35 years of age last July.
The coffin on Friday was covered with the Union Jack and
conveyed to the cemetery on a motor ambulance with six Anzac sergeants in
attendance as the bearer party. The mourners present were Mr. E. Squire (father)
Cpl. S. Squire, RAF (brother), Mr. F. Roberts (uncle), Lieut. Emery, RAF, Mr.
C.J. Blayney J.P. (Chertsey), Mr. E. A. Brown (Walton) and Mr. Bosteel. Two
other brothers, Charles and Clarence, were unable to attend owing to being
overseas - the former on his way home from Malta and the latter at Salonica.