Cecil Charles Hall

Cecil Charles was the youngest child of George Hall and his second wife, Ellen. George married first Sarah (possibly Beadles, married 1886, A/M/J Nottingham) by whom he had at least one child, Maude, b. abt. 1883. Sarah died on 27 March 1891 aged 45. George married secondly Ellen (possibly Maxwell, married 1892 J/A/S Nottingham) and they had three children: Grace Ellen b. 1892 (O/N/D Nottingham), George Edwin birth registered 1896 J/F/M Nottingham, and Cecil Charles b. 1897 (J/A/S Nottingham). In 1901, George (47), a wicker chair manufacturer, and Ellen (33, b. Maidstone Kent), were living at 69 Mount Street, Nottingham, with George's daughter Maude (18), an upholsterer, and their children, Grace (8), George (5) and Cecil (3). Also in the household was a boarder, Alice Hackney (25). George Hall died on 13 February 1905 aged 51 years and Ellen continued his business as in 1911, when she was still living at 69 Mount Street, she gave her occupation as wicker furniture manufacturer. Only her own three children were still living at home; Grace (18) was a student teacher, George (15) a wicker chair maker and Cecil (13) was still at school. In 1916 when Cecil attested, the family was living at 12 Cumberland Place, Park Row, Nottingham, and this was still the family home when Ellen completed a form for the army in 1919 listing Cecil's surviving blood relatives. Ellen only named Grace (26) and George (23), who were both still living with her at Cumberland Place, but she did not mention any half-siblings on the form. Ellen died on 2 January 1933 aged 65 years.

When he attested in 1916 he was a wicker chair maker.

12 Cumberland Place, Park Row, Nottingham

Cecil attested on 23 May 1916 at the age of 18 years 273 days. He transferred to the Army Reserve on 24 May and was mobilized on 31 August 1916 being posted to RGA the same day. He served in France from 2 April 1917 and died of wounds at 33 Field Ambulance the following month. Cecil's body was exhumed from its original burial site in 1929 and reburied in Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery, Arras. He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Personal inscription on CWGC headstone: 'Called to higher service' Inscription on family gravestone, Nottingham General Cemetery: ‘George Hall, the beloved husband of Ellen Hall, who died February 13th 1905, aged 51 years. Also of Sarah, wife of the above, who died March 27th 1891, aged 45 years. RIP. Also of Cecil Charles, Signaller (-), younger son of George and Ellen Hall, killed in action, May 10th 1917, aged 19 years. Interred in the Rue St Michael British Cemetery, (-). Supreme Sacrifice. Also of the above Ellen Hall who died Jan 2nd 1933, aged 65 years.’ Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 19 May, 21 May and 22 May 1917: ‘Hall. Killed in action, May 10th, Gunner Cecil Charles Hall, RGA, dearly-loved younger son of Mrs and the late George Hall.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 22 May 1917. ‘Hall. Killed in action, May 10th, Cecil Charles Hall, signaller RG, loving friend of Andrew Young, signaller, RGA.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Cecil's personal belongings were returned to his mother in September 1917 and comprised: Personal possessions returned September 1917: cigarette case, note book, 2 religious books, wrist watch, metal mirror, wallet, photos, letters, linen bag, disc.