Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Frank was born at St Andrews, South Canterbury, on December 13, 1888, the only son of Alfred (1859-1928) and Clara Beatrice (1865-1961, nee Mundy) Squire. Alfred’s brother Henry (1853-1896 - shepherd), had earlier immigrated out to New Zealand from Cornwall aboard the “Pleiades” in December 1874, followed by his brother Alfred (farm labourer), on the “Rangitiki” in December 1876. Frank’s grandparents John (1822-1893, farm labourer) and Harriett (1827-1908, nee Roberts), later followed their sons, along with their children Bessie and Charles, from Devon, England, aboard the “Waitangi” in October 1877. All the family settled in the South Canterbury district.

After his education at the Southburn and Wai-iti (Gleniti) Schools, Frank went farming at St Andrews with his father. He was still here when he enlisted at Timaru into the NZ Field Artillery (NZFA) on June 18, 1917, and nominated his father Alfred, as his next of kin. Frank was single, Presbyterian, aged 28 years, 5 foot 9 inches in height, weighing 154 pounds (70 kgs), chest measuring 33-37 inches, having a dark complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. After entering camp on July 23, 1917, he was posted first to 34th NZFA, then transferred to the 35th NZFA on January 14, 1918, and finally to the 36th NZFA on March 3, 1918. He left from Wellington on April 23, 1918, aboard HMNZT102 Willochra with the 36th Reinforcements NZEF, the 37th Reinforcements NZ Rifle Brigade and the 28th Reinforcements Maori Contingent. They disembarked at Suez, Egypt, on May 31, marched into the Australian Camp for a short time before re-embarking at Alexandra on July 4, aboard the liner RMS “Ormonde”. Sailing to Taranto, Italy, were again transhipped aboard the liner “Duchess of Argyle”, finally arriving at Southampton, England, on July 18, 1918. He then marched into Ewshot Camp which was the main training area for artillery personnel before posting to France. Frank proceeded overseas to France on September 29, 1918, where on October 5, he was posted to the 2nd Brigade Ammunition Column. It was the responsibility of the Ammunition Column to transport ammunition from shell dumps behind the lines to the gun positions using horse and mule vehicles. At this time the division was taking part in the closing stages of the Battle of the Selle and were advancing towards the fortress town of Le Quesnoy. Because of its historic significance, the artillery did not use its guns, leaving the capture of the town to the infantry. Very soon the armistice was declared and the NZ Division began the 240 km march through France and Belgium, reaching the German border on December 19. From here they entered Cologne where the New Zealander’s role of occupiers was short lived. On January 9, 1919, Frank was appointed to the position of Cook which he held until February 20. This task involved him looking after six army officers and sorting out the Red Cross stores. They were billeted in the home of Doctor Itz, and when he collected the rations, he always got extra and gave them to the family. In the evenings the doctor would invite him into their living room where Frank would teach the two girls English. When Frank was detached back to England on March 3, the doctor came to the station to farewell him and gave him his gold watch and chain, with a photo of his daughters in the back in recognition of his kindness and generosity. The watch and chain were later lost, but he was fortunate that it was found many years later and returned to him by the people at Southburn. Many of those who occupied Cologne only stayed a few weeks and found the people were mostly friendly and civil toward them. The last NZ troops had left by March 25, 1919.

On his return to England Frank marched in to B Group at Codford Camp until June 11, when he was moved to Sling Camp. On July 4, 1919, he finally embarked at Liverpool aboard the “Port Hacking” for his return home to New Zealand, arriving at Lyttelton on August 20, ex Auckland. After having served a total of 2 years and 57 days, Gunner Squire was discharged from the army on September 17, 1919. He was later awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service.

Frank returned to St Andrews, and on April 20, 1920, he married 26 year old nurse Gladdis (known as Gladys) Luscombe (1894-1973), daughter of Philip Henry Bond (c1849-1904) and Mary Matilda (1858-1910, nee Wilks) Luscombe, at St Mary’s Church, Timaru. Frank and Gladys went on to have six children: Naumai Mary (b.1921), Edgar Melville (b.1922), Gaenor Gladys (1923-1966), Yvonne Clare (1926-2000), Eldon Luscombe (b.1927), and Erena Joy (b.1931). In 1928 Frank was listed as farming at Tycho, and from 1935 to 1949 as a farmer at “Merivale”, Morven. During World War Two Frank joined the Home Guard at Waimate, and on August 1, 1941, was promoted to Lieutenant in command of Number 7 Platoon, B Company (Waihao Downs). The Home Guard was active from August 1940 to December 1943. When the danger of invasion from Japan was no longer a threat, he was posted to the Reserve of Officers with effect from January 1, 1944. For this service he would have been later awarded the NZ War Service Medal. From 1954, until his death in 1962, he and Gladys lived at 75 Rhodes Street, Waimate. Frank died in his sleep aged 73 years on October 5, 1962, while on holiday with relatives at Whakatane, and is interred in the Waimate Lawn Cemetery RSA Section. Gladys later moved into hospital care in Oamaru, and after her death on May 9, 1973, was also interred in the Waimate Lawn Cemetery.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [July 2017]; New Zealand ANZACs in the Great War 1914-1918 (University of New South Wales) at http://nzef.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=241664; Assorted records at Ancestry.com [July 2017]; ;'Southburn. Soldiers' welcomed' Timaru Herald 26 August 1919 p3, 'Returning soldiers' Sun 8 August 1919 p3, 'Transport Port Hacking arrival' Grey river Argus 21 August 1919 p3, 'Home again ...Welcome at station' Timaru herald 21 August 1919 p11, and 'Marriages' Timaru Harald 19 june 1920 p8, courtesy of Papers Past at https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/; Waimate District Council cemtery records at http://gis.waimatedc.govt.nz/GIS/wab/?config=cemetery.json; Timaru District Council cemetery records at https://www.timaru.govt.nz/services/community-and-culture/cemeteries/cemetery-search

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Ted Hansen, SC branch NZSG

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.