SQUIRES, LIEUT FRANK MILTON
Frank Milton Squires was born October 5, 1897 in Toronto, son of Henry Frank and Katie (Clark) Squires.
Frank is included in this report as representative of the many veterans who served in WWI or WWII and made the Municipality of Whitestone their home away from home.
Frank Squires summered on Lake Wahwashkesh, a tradition his family continues. Frank and his 2nd wife Kay, built a cottage in Shabbot’s Bay immediately beside Auld’s landing. Frank spent many summers there and loved the region.
Frank Squires in WWI fatigues
Frank enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps in January 1917 and trained at Deseronto, Camp Borden and Leaside in Canada. The Royal Canadian Air Force did not exist at the time of Frank Squires enlistment. Rather, like others wishing to enlist in the air service he had to join the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), the Royal Air Force (RAF) or the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS).
On April 18, 1918, Lieut. Frank Squires took a draft of R.A.F. men overseas and was deployed to France.
At the time he saw service in France, Frank flew an SE 5.
The field note below, describes operations October and November 1918. An examples from this note are reproduced below:
“Oct. 29: …Lt. Trembath failed to return. (POW). Lt. SQUIRES landed on French aerodrome SE of Noyon. Lts. Lovett, Moody, Ragoun, Cameron and Phinney landed on aerodrome at Erches.
.The S.E.5 was a British biplane fighter aircraft of the First World War. It was one of the fastest aircraft of the war, while being both stable and relatively maneuverable. According to aviation author Robert Jackson, the S.E.5 was: “the nimble fighter that has since been described as the ‘Spitfire of World War One’” In most respects the S.E.5 had superior performance to the rival Sopwith Camel. Together with the Camel, the S.E.5 was instrumental in regaining allied air superiority in mid-1917 and maintaining it for the rest of the war.
Frank Squires standing on the right in front of an SE 5 fighter aircraft
