Guide to the Papers of Lieutenant-General E. K. Squires [MSS 184]

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Manuscript Name Papers of Lieutenant-General E. K. Squires
Manuscript Number MSS 184
Last Updated June 2022
Extent 5 cm (3 folders, 1 box)
Location Special Collections, UNSW Canberra
Abstract This collection includes photocopies from the diaries of Lieutenant-General E. K. Squires, CB, DSO, MC, 1937-1940.

Date Range of Content

1937-1940

Biographical Note

Ernest Ker Squires was born on 18 December 1882 at Poona, India. He was educated at Eton, England and the Royal Military College, Woolwich. He was commissioned in the Royal Engineers in January 1903, and served in India for twelve years. For his services in France and Mesopotamia he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross as a major of the Royal Engineers, serving with the Indian army. He was also mentioned six times in despatches during World War I and in 1919 during the Afghan War. He was promoted to Major-General in 1935.

In June 1938, the Australian government chose to appoint a British officer, Lieutenant-General Ernest K. Squires to the post of Inspector-General of the Australian Military Forces. Squire's submitted his one and only report before the onset of World War II, which had important ramifications for the organisation of the Army. His proposals included the raising of a permanent force of all-arms, establishing a simplified command arrangement, forming new militia units, increasing the peacetime size of the army, early retirement and the introduction of an administrative system more suited to active service. The Lyons' government approved many of the recommendations, but in 1939 Menzies withdrew approval for formation of a permanent force of 3600 troops.

In September 1939, he was confirmed Chief of General Staff. Squires died in on the 2 March 1940, following surgery for cancer.

References:
Australian dictionary of biography (1990), volume 12, 1891-1939, Smy-Z, p. 41-42.

 

Administrative Information

 

Access

The collection is available for research.

Restrictions on Use

No copying is permitted without the permission of the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

Papers of Lieutenant-General E. K. Squires, Special Collections, UNSW Canberra, Australian Defence Force Academy, MS 184, Box [Number], Folder [Number].

Provenance

Photocopies of the diaries acquired by the Academy Library, UNSW Canberra from Anthony Brettell Lodge in 1987. The newspaper clipping with a photograph and article relating to the late Lieutenant General E.K. Squires' funeral procession donated by Mrs Berta Sanunu, October 2009.

 

Access Terms

 

Personal Names

Squires, E. K. (Ernest Ker), 1882-1940 -- Diaries.

Topical Subjects

Generals -- Australia -- Biography.

Generals -- Australia -- Archives.

Generals -- Australia -- Diaries.

Occupations

Army officers

 

Container List

 

Box 1

Folder 1
Photocopies of diary volume 21, including a photocopy of a letter dated 18 May 1938, offering Squires the post of Inspector-General of the Australian Military Forces, 17/11/1937-24/12/1938

Folder 2
Photocopies of diary volume 22, 25/12/1938-7/11/1939

Folder 3
Photocopies of diary volume 23, including a photocopy of a telegram dated 27 Jan 1940, from Gowrie, 8/11/1939-28/2/1940

Folder 4
Newspaper clipping with a photograph and article relating to the late Lieutenant General E.K. Squires' funeral procession, undated