The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Squire
- First Name:
- Dudley Joseph
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX9330
- Company:
- ‘C’ Company, 12 Platoon
- Enlisted:
- 30.10.1940
- DOB:
- 6.05.1909
- Place of Birth:
- Bideford, Devon, England
- Father's Name:
- Elias Edmund Squire
- Mothers's Name:
- Ethel Jane Squire
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Farmer
- Memorial:
- Kranji War Cemetery, Collective Grave, Plot 28, Row C, Grave 10-14, Age 32.
- Cause of Death:
- Killed in Action
- Place of Death:
- Hill 200, Ulu Pandan
- Date of Death:
- 12.02.1942
- Buried:
- Where killed at Map reference 761126 by Major A. Cough Party on 21.12.1942
General Description
Dudley Squire, of Mukinbudin enlisted AIF 30 Oct 1940 later joining 2/4th’s ‘C’ Company, 11 Platoon under CO Lt Kevin Boyle as did his mates Monty Smith and ‘Buck’ Rogers who were in 12 Platoon.
Squire’s photograph was printed in May 1941 Sons of Empire.
Please read further about ‘C’ Company, 12 Platoon
Dudley Squire tragically did not return. He was KIA on 12th February 1942. Dudley Squire and Keith ‘Bully’ Hayes were climbing Hill 200. They were hit by machine gun fire and died.
Squire and Rogers were two of four young men from Muckinbudin to join the 2/4th. The other two were Joe Sevier (died 1945 Ranau-Sandakan track) and Monty Smith.
In 1926 Dudley Squire aged 17 years emigrated to South Australia. He later joined his brother Michael in Muckinbudin to gain further experience before purchasing his own small property. (Brother Michael ‘Mick’ Burrow Squire b. 1904 Devon, England remained farming at Mukinbudin throughout his life. He died 27 July 1997 aged 93 years. Mick’s wife, Marjorie Annie Minnie Huxtable (nee Sloman) died 2003 aged 79 years. Both are buried at Mukinbudin Cemetery.)
With the bad seasons and fluctuating returns meant Dudley had to take up casual work to keep going.
Squire was an active member of the community and joined the Muckinbudin Soccer Club which played in the same competition as Joe Sevier, Wilgoyne. Squire undertook a greater input as Secretary for Muckinbudin.
Before enlisting Dudley Squire was ‘manpowered’ as a farmer and had to arrange for his brother to work his property until his return.
Below are newspaper reports for 1934 and 1935 soccer. Dudley and Rogers are mentioned regularly as players and Squire a dedicated committee member.
The following reports show Dud Squire took on a large role as secretary.
Read story of four 2/4th boys from Mukinbuden.
