Hall, David Sydney

Details
Category: 1917-18

David Sydney Hall. M.C.

Argylls

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and Royal Flying Corps
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, the Congregational Church Memorial, Helensburgh and Gareloch Unionist Association Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 48.

The family home was at Birkfell, 30 Charlotte Street, Helensburgh. The son of William and Annie Fleming Hall.
Siblings: David was the youngest of four children, Jeanie, Harry, and William.

military medalDavid Sydney Hall was born in Grangemouth and brought up in Helensburgh, where his father was a grocer and laundry proprietor. He was educated at Dunoon Grammar School, Hermitage School, and Hillhead High School. On leaving school David worked for Paterson and Benzie Chartered Accountants.

David enlisted in September 1914, firstly in the 17th Glasgow Commercials Batt. (Highland Light Infantry) and was then commissioned into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. In December 1916, he was seconded as a Lieutenant to the Royal Flying Corps, later appointed a flight commander in June 1917. He flew De Havilland 4 bombers with 55 Squadron.

David was awarded the Military Cross for actions on 2nd October 1917: 'For conspicuous Gallantry and Devotion to duty. While leading back his formation of five machines from a bombing raid he was attacked on eight different occasions by numerous enemy scouts'. On 20th November 1917, David flew on a weather reconnaissance mission. The conditions were poor, and the plane crashed, killing David and his observer. He was 25 years old.