Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria to include a Fine Collection of Napoleonic Medals

A post-war B.E.M. group of six awarded to Chief Engine Room Artificer T. H. Squires, Royal Navy - ‘mentioned’ for service aboard H.M.S. Middleton in the surface action of 26/27 August 1944

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 2nd issue (C.E.R.A. Thomas H. Squires, P/MX 47639); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; War Medal 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf, these unnamed; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (MX 47639 C.E.R.A., H.M.S. Middleton) mounted as worn, some contact marks, very fine and better (6) £400-450

B.E.M. London Gazette 9 June 1949.

Recommendation reads: ‘For the past two and a half years this rating has carried out the duties of Staff Chief Boilermaker. This work involves inspection of boilers in all ships in the Reserve Fleet, and preparation of a large number for wear and waste test. It is hard work and highly important, but unpublicized; it also means assuming a considerable amount of responsibility. C.E.R.A. Squires has done his work in an extremely capable, loyal and devoted manner.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 28 November 1944. ‘For outstanding courage and determination in H.M.S. Middleton in an engagement with superior enemy forces.’

Thomas Henry Squires was born on 21 July 1913 at Wyke Regis, Dorset. He volunteered as an Engine Room Artificer Apprentice in December 1928 and commenced his full-time service in 1931. With the outbreak of the Second World War he had attained the rank of Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class and was serving aboard the sloop H.M.S. Egret. Aboard the same same ship he was appointed E.R.A. 2nd Class in July 1941 and Acting Chief Engine Room Artificer in March 1943, serving aboard the ship until 22 August 1943. On 27 August 1943 H.M.S. Egret was sunk by a German glider bomb off the coast of N.W. Spain. Six officers and 188 ratings were killed in the attack. Squires transferred to the destroyer H.M.S. Middleton on 14 September 1943 and attained the rank of Chief Engine Room Artificer in May 1944. He was present aboard the ship on the night of 26 / 27 August when in company with the frigate H.M.S. Retalick and several MT and PT boats, they engaged boats of the German 8th Gun Carrier Flotilla in the English Channel, destroying three of the enemy. For his services Squires was mentioned in despatches. He continued to serve aboard the Middleton until October 1946, the same month he was awarded the L.S.& G.C. Medal. He was awarded the B.E.M. in the Birthday Honours of 1949 whilst serving on the repair ship H.M.S. Resource. Squires was released from the service in 1953.

Sold with a number of original documents, including: Certificate of Service (damaged), with original envelope; Engine Room Artificer’s History Sheet; Recommendations for Advancement and Conduct Record Sheet; Certificates of Capability of Engine Room Artificers (3); Employment and Ability Record of E.R.A.; Admiralty notification of award of the B.E.M. and B.E.M. forwarding slip; also with photographs of H.M.S. Middleton. Together with copied gazette extracts, recommendation and other research; a cloth badge and the book, Destroyer & Preserver, The Story of H.M.S. Middleton & her ship’s company, by Mike Alston -in which Squires is several times mentioned.