Hall G E 2nd Lt 1st Norfolk Regiment
SECOND LIEUTENANT GEOFFREY EVANS HALL, 1st Battalion, the Norfolk Regiment, was the eldest son of Frederick Evans Hall of Redbourn, Hertfordshire, and was born in 1880. He was educated at Temple Grove, East Sheen, at Winchester, where he distinguished himself at football, and at New College, Oxford, graduating in 1902. He became a member in 1907, and joined his father’s firm, Bragg, Stockdale, Hall and Co.
Immediately on the outbreak of war he joined the Public Schools Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, and went to France with this battalion in November 1915. Four months later he was gazetted to the Norfolk Regiment, and in July 1916, the first month of the Somme Battle, was severely wounded and sent home. He returned to the Front in April 1917, attached to the 10th Norfolks, and on the 26th of the same month was killed by a shell while taking his platoon into the trenches.
Two days earlier his name had been brought to the notice of his Commanding Officer in the following report from his Company Commander: “2nd Lieutenant Hall has been very good both nights, having been in the front line during the whole of the strafe (which was very heavy), going from post to post talking to and encouraging the men.”
His Commanding Officer wrote of him: ” Although he had only recently been posted to this battalion, he had already proved what a fine, brave and capable soldier he was. His Company Commander had implicit confidence in him and had mentioned to me that he wished him to undertake the duties of 2nd in command.”
Source : The Stock Exchange War Memorial 1914-1918