Dorothy Squires

Welsh Pop and Torch Singer

Dorothy Squires (March 25, 1915-April 14, 1998) was a Welsh vocalist. She was born Edna May Squires in Pontyberem, (about 12 miles from Llanelli), Carmarthenshire, in South Wales. Her parents were Archibald James Squires, a steelworker, and his wife Emily. She began to perform professionally as a singer at the age of 16. She did most of her work with the orchestra of Billy Reid who was her partner for many years. After she joined his orchestra, he began to write songs for her to perform. In the immediate post-war years she recorded the original version of Reid’s composition, “A Tree in the Meadow,” best known in the United States in its recording by Margaret Whiting, which reached No.1 on the US charts. Similarly, her version of Reid’s composition, “I’m Walking Behind You” was covered by Eddie Fisher which became a No.1 hit in the US and her recording of “The Gypsy” became a No.1 hit there after being waxed by The Ink Spots - their biggest hit. (It was also a major hit for Dinah Shore.) After her relationship with Reid ended she married British actor Roger Moore (007) in 1953 in New Jersey. Moore was twelve years her junior. The marriage lasted until 1961, when Moore left her and moved in with Luisa Mattioli, whom he was unable to marry legally until Squires granted him a divorce in 1969. Squires later became notorious for her involvement in court cases. She even took out a libel action against the actor Kenneth More for mistakenly referring to Luisa as Roger Moore’s “wife”. (Michael Havers acted for Kenneth More.) By 1982 she had been banned from the High Court, and had spent much of her fortune on legal fees. In 1988 she lost her home following bankruptcy proceedings. Squires retired to Wales and died of lung cancer in Llwynpia Hospital, Rhondda