Richard Matthew Hall

Forename(s):
Richard Matthew

Surname:
Hall

Initial(s):
R M

Service Number:
2155

Rank:
Private

Regiment:
Northumberland Fusiliers, 1/7th Battalion Territorial Force

Died:
01/06/1915

Aged:
24

Buried:
Menin Gate Memorial, Ieper

Service History:
Enlisted at Alnwick, Northumberland.

Background:
Born in 1891 at Roddam, Northumberland, the son of Thomas Snr. (b. 1861 at Bamburgh, a Rabbit Catcher), & his wife Margaret (b. 1861 at Branton Wood Cottage).

One of two sons lost: see, also, Private Thomas Hall (Regimental service #270844; Household Cavalry & Cavalry of the Line (including Yeomanry & Imperial Camel Corps) Battalion: Worcester Yeomanry (The Queens Own Worcestershire Hussars); Died 3 September 1918).

In 1891, prior to Hall's birth, his parents were living at Eglingham Terrace, Eglingham, Northumberland, with their daughter Elizabeth A. (b. 1883 at Branton), & sons John (b. 1885 at Branton) & George P. (b. 1888 at Moor Laws).

In 1901 the family were living at Mile End, Glanton, Northumberland. Apart from the addition of Hall, there were four more children - Thomas (b. 1894 at Overgrass Cottage); Isabel (b. 1897); Arthur H. (b. 1899; like his sister, Isabel, born at Swarland Kennels); & Edmund (b. 1901 at Mile End).

The 1911 Census records Hall as living at Branton, Powburn with his widowed father, their housekeeper Mary Jane Irving Potts, age 34, brothers Arthur, Edmund & a new addition Robert Morris Hall (b. 1904 in Norfolk).

Both Hall & his father were Rabbit & Mole Catchers, & the younger children were still at school. Brother Thomas, at that time, was lodging at Ilderton Moor, near Wooperton, & working as an Assistant Gamekeeper.

Local Memorial:
Branton Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour Eglingham Cross Glanton, United Reform Church (Source: For Eglingham & Glanton, newmp.org.uk)