Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria. To coincide with the OMRS Convention

A Second World War B.E.M. group of six to Chief Engine Room Artificer T. H. Squires, Royal Navy

British Empire Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Military Division (C.E.R.A., P/Mx.47639) in Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oakleaf; Royal Navy L.S.& G.C., G.VI.R. 1st issue (MX47639 C.E.R.A., H.M.S. Middleton) good very fine and better (6) £300-350

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 two ships and original medal ribbon mounting.

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 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 abaord 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 Retalick and several MT and PT boats, they engaged boats of the German 8th Gun Carrier Flotilla in the English Channel, destoying three of the enemy. For his services Squires was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 28 November 1944). 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 (London Gazette 9 June 1949) whilst serving on the repair ship H.M.S. Resource. Squires was released from the service in 1953.