Cecil Charles Hall
Cecil was working as a wicker chair maker when he attested in 1916.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Cecil Charles was the youngest child of George Hall and his second wife, Ellen.
George married Sarah (possibly Beadles) in 1886 (AMJ 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) in 1892 (JAS) and they had three children: Grace Ellen b. 1892 (OND), George Edwin birth registered 1896 (JFM), and Cecil Charles b. 1897 (JAS).
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.
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 three children were still living at home; Grace a student teacher, George a wicker chair maker and Cecil who was school age.
The family was living at 12 Cumberland Place, Park Row, Nottingham, in 1916 when Cecil attested and this was still the family home when Ellen completed a form for the army in 1919 listing Cecil's surviving blood relatives. Ellen named Cecil's siblings, Grace and George, who were still living with her, but did not include any half-siblings on the form.
Ellen died on 2 January 1933 aged 65.
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; he was posted to the Royal Garrison Artillery the same day.
He served in France from 2 April 1917 and died of wounds at No. 33 Field Ambulance on 10 May the same year. Cecil's grave was brought in from its original burial site to Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, in 1929 (grave ref. VI. G. 2). The commemoration to Cecil on the family headstone in Nottingham General Cemetery gives his original burial site as Rue St Michael British Cemetery.
He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
CWGC history of Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery (extract): the Commonwealth section of the Cemetery 'was begun in March 1916, behind the French military cemetery established earlier. It continued to be used by field ambulances and fighting units until November 1918. The cemetery was enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields and from two smaller cemeteries in the vicinity.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC Additional information: Son of George and Ellen Hall, of 12, Cumberland Place, Park Row, Nottingham.
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Called to higher service'
Nottingham General Cemetery, inscription family headstone: ‘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, 21 & 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 RGA, 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: cigarette case, note book, 2 religious books, wrist watch, metal mirror, wallet, photos, letters, linen bag, disc.
Cecil Charles Hall
Buried in Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery
Cecil Charles Hall
Family grave and headstone, Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Rachel Farrand (January 2018).