A SINGER and recording artist with strong Salisbury roots whose voice was heard across the globe and who entertained British troops abroad has died at the age of 94.

Rosemary Squires, born Joan Rosemary Yarrow, was born on Friday, December 7, 1928, and died on August 8.

Born in Bristol, Rosemary grew up in Salisbury and attended St Edmund’s Girl’s School where she took singing lessons and learned how to play the piano and guitar. Her career started in 1940 with an appearance on the BBC Home Service’s Children’s Hour.

Salisbury Journal: Rosemary Squires Rosemary Squires (Image: Newsquest)

Rosemary moved from Salisbury to London when 20 years old becoming a regular on the BBC Light Programme (BBC Radio 2) during the 1950s and 1960s. She also worked in America with Danny Kaye and Sammy Davis Jr. and appeared on the Johnny Carson Show.

She was popular with the Americans and was presented with the ‘Stars and Stripes.’

A career highlight was when performing at the Cadogan Hall - a historic music venue in the heart of Chelsea with Dame Vera Lynn in the audience.

In 1984, she was awarded the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors Gold Badge of Merit and awarded an MBE in 2004 for services to charity and music.

Salisbury Journal: Rosemary Squires with her husband Frank Rosemary Squires with her husband Frank (Image: Newsquest)

In 2012, she was awarded the British Music Hall Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Rosemary eventually returned to Salisbury marrying the late Frank Lockyer and became involved in local causes including becoming the president of the Studio Theatre in Ashley Road for many years.

Studio Theatre's director of productions, Jackie Pilkington said: “Rosemary was our president for many years. She was a supportive, interested, and brilliant president.

"Studio Theatre was so sad to hear the news.”  

Rosemary Squire’s funeral takes place at St Thomas’s Church on Monday, September 25 at 10.30am.