Benjamin Squires was born in Thame in 1897, one of the eight children of Herbert Squires and Amelia (née Shurrock) living at 71 Park Street, Thame. Three of his brothers also served in the war, Joseph was killed at Passchendaele in 1917 but both William and Albert survived.

In February 1915 Benjamin enlisted with the Grenadier Guards and, after training, embarked for France in October, joining the 4th Battalion. On 26th September 1916, serving in 3 Company, he was taking part in an attack with the Guards Division at Lesboeufs, part of the Battle of the Somme. He received gunshot wounds to his left arm, chest and both legs.

He was invalided home and spent almost twelve months in hospital. After recovery he was drafted back to France, returning to the Front in September 1917 to join the 2nd Battalion with the 1st Guards Brigade.

On 28th March, during the 1918 First Battle of Arras, part of the German spring offensive known as Operation Michael, the Battalion trenches were heavily shelled and they had to repulse a number of German incursions which were supported by machine gun fire. Benjamin, age 21, was one of 22 men from the Battalion who were killed.

22664 Private Benjamin Squires, Grenadier Guards, has no known grave and is commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais. He is remembered in Thame on the War Memorial, near to the name of his brother Joseph. He is also remembered on the Memorial Boards of St Mary’s Church, All Saints’ Church and Christchurch.