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Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 232

A Great War Mesopotamia D.C.M. group of four to Corporal S. Hall, Royal Flying Corps, who had been severely wounded in France on 6 November 1915

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (4965 1.CL: A.M. S. Hall. R.F.C.); 1914-15 Star (4965 2.A.M. S. Hall. R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medals (4965. Cpl. S. Hall. R.A.F.), good very fine (4)

D.C.M. London Gazette 22 October 1917.

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When his wireless station came under heavy fire, and though the aerial was shot down on three occasions, he re-erected it on each occasion, displaying great courage and coolness. Still under heavy fire, he eventually succeeded in obtaining communication with his aeroplane, thus enabling two of the guns to be silenced.'

Samuel Hall was born at Manchester on 19 July 1897 and lived at Newton Heath where he worked for the General Post Office, originally as a telegraph messenger but later as a telegraphist, before he enlisted into the Royal Flying Corps on 30 April 1915. Hall entered the war in France on 31 July 1915 and was given the Trade Classification of Wireless Operator. He was reported as being wounded in the field on 6 November 1915 and on the following day was at the General Hospital in Etaples suffering from a gun shot wound to the left leg, foot and face. On 14 November he was transferred back to England but on 15 November was admitted to the General Hospital at Stonebridge - the wound was now considered as severe. Hall was placed on furlough between 6-12 December 1915 and joined No. 1 R.A.S. (Reserve Aeroplane Squadron) based at Farnborough, Hampshire on 15 December 1915.

Hall then served in the Indian theatre from 15 May 1916, and although not confirmed he was likely to have been attached to No. 30 Squadron. In April 1917 he was admitted to the 32nd General Hospital Amarah, Iraq with tonsilitis and was transferred on 4 May 1917 to the Convalescence Depot, from whence he was discharged two days later. He was promoted Corporal on 20 July 1917 and made a Corporal Mechanic on 1 April 1918. Hall returned to the U.K. on 13 January 1919 and was transferred to the R.A.F. Reserve on 28 March 1919. He was married on 22 February 1921 and applied for his Great War Medals in July 1921 (Pair) and October 1922 (Star). He appears in the England and Wales Register for 1939 as a Collector of Taxes for the Inland Revenue, it additionally notes A.R.P. so he is possibly further entitled to a Defence Medal 1939-45. Hall died in January 1983.

Sold together with the following archive:

i)
The original card box for the D.C.M. and his 1914-15 Star Trio (4 in total).

ii)
Photograph of him in uniform wearing the D.C.M. riband.

iii)
A Farewell Dinner Menu of 31st Wing Wireless Station Bagdad November 15th 1918.

iv)
Victory Social & Welcome Home invitation dated 19 May 1919.

v)
Christmas Card entitled 'Greetings from Meso' Xmas 1918.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate
£3,000 to £5,000

Starting price
£2400