Royal Garrison Artillery
William Hale (he may also have had a middle name of George) was born in the fourth quarter of 1896 at Cinderford, the son of George and Elizabeth (née Barrett) Hale, of Causeway, Cinderford. George Hale was a colliery blacksmith. William attended Double View Secondary School in the town and after leaving school became a banksman at Crump Meadow Colliery.
Unfortunately few, if any records survive relating to William’s military service. He is believed to have enlisted in 1915 and died on 4 November 1918, aged 22, at 2nd Eastern General Hospital, Brighton.
His CWGC register entry states that this was related to ‘sickness contracted on active service in France’.
He is buried in Cinderford (St John) Churchyard in what appears to be a family grave, marked by a stone cross.
Researched by Eric Nicholls March 2016
(Photograph from an unknown newspaper)