1/5th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment
Lance Corporal Hall is listed in the CWGC Register as a casualty of the Great War, however, it is more than likely that he joined the Army after hostilities ended. The reason for inclusion is that he died in service before the 31 August 1921 which was the cut off date for being considered a war casualty. The Register only gives his initials and states that his date upon death was 20 years. Although no records pertaining to his Army service have survived it has been possible, using other sources, to confirm his full name and the fact that he was born in Gloucester in late 1903 and therefore would have been aged 18 at time of death.
William Reginald Hall was the son of George William Hall (a dairyman) and his wife Ethel Violet. He had a brother named Percy, who was six years younger. At the time of the 1911 Census the family lived at 20 Priory Road, Gloucester. Although the exact date of William’s birth is unknown he was baptised on 20 May 1904.
He is likely to have joined the Army in 1920, upon reaching the age of 17 and must have shown promise to have been promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
William died on 9 April 1921; he was 20 years old. A report of his funeral was published in the Gloucester Citizen of 18 April. It states that William died at his aunt’s home, Alney Wharf, Westgate Bridge, Gloucester. His funeral was held at Corn Exchange Baptist Free Church, where the deceased was a member. His body was carried to the grave by comrades in ‘A’ Company, 5th Glosters. No details were given of his Army service or the cause of death. The CWGC burial records indicate his address was 8 Alney Terrace, Westgate Street, Gloucester and their Register shows his mother living at 130 Westate Street, Gloucester, when the Register was compiled.
William Hall now lies in the First World War plot inside Gloucester Old Cemetery, where a CWGC headstone marks his grave.
Researched by Graham Adams 11 April 2017