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Auction: 22002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 230

A immediate Great War Ace's M.C. group of three awarded to Captain D. S. Hall, No. 57 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, late Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, who was decorated for downing no less than four aircraft in a single engagement, whilst Commanding a Flight of five bombers who were rounded upo by 15 Albatross Scouts, led by Oberleutnant Rudolf Berthold, CO of Jasta 18 and a recipient of the Pour Le Merite; Hall was lost in action on 20 November 1917

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Capt. D. S. Hall.), good very fine (3)

M.C. London Gazette 5 April 1918:

'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. He himself shot down one in flames and another out of control, while his observer shot down two,1 in flames. He has at all times completed the task allotted to him, and set a splendid example.'

David Sidney Hall was born at Grangemouth on 15 October 1892. Hall was educated at Hermitage School, Dunoon Grammar School, and Hillhead High School, Glasgow, after which he worked in the office of chartered accountants Paterson & Benzie. He joined the 17th Highland Light Infantry, before being commissioned into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Having transferred into the Royal Flying Corps, he graduated with his Aero Certificate on 22 September 1916.

Moving to the Western Front with No. 57 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, on 27 July 1917 Hall was piloting a DH4 when he achieved his first victory, against an Albatross DV over the Holthurst forest, driving the machine down out of control. The Observer was 2nd Lieutenant Pizey, tragically he was killed in the encounter.

His next engagement came as 57 Squadron acted in support of the British Offensive on October 2nd 1917 five DH4s from No. 57 bombed Abeele aerodrome. On their way back, they were attacked by about 15 Albatros scouts. Hall was paired with Observer Lieutenant Edward Hartigan. In the combat that followed 2nd Lieutenant Frank Ashcroft Martin and Lieutenant J. D. O'Neill were attacked by three scouts and O'Neill claimed one shot down in flames. Hall and Hartigan engaged a large number of scouts. One attacked from the side but after Hartigan had fired 90 rounds into it the struts were seen to be shot away on one side, the main planes came together, and the aircraft broke up. Another EA passed in front of the DH4 and Hall fired 50 rounds into it when it immediately dived, broke into flames, then crashed. He then fired into another EA which went completely over and fell out of control. One Albatros scout continued to follow the DH4, firing at long range, and so when getting nearer the lines the DH4 throttled back and allowed the Albatros to approach. When within about 200 yards Hall turned his machine and Hartigan fired a burst into the Scout which turned over and over, then fell out of control. Their victories came at 1335hrs, 1336hrs, 1337hrs and 1340hrs; not a bad piece of work! The rest of the Flight did not fare so well with all three lost. Pilots from Jasta 18 made the claims.

Having gained Ace status and an M.C. in that action, Hall added a sixth victory to his laurels with an Albatross DV to West of Roulers in the bag on 28 October 1917. His luck ran out 20 November 1917 when both Hall and Hartigan went missing on a reconnaissance mission near Les Alleux, their wrecked machine being found later. He is buried in the Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, Pas de Calais.

See http://helensburgh-heritage.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1432:gallant-pilot-ran-out-of-luck&catid=88:military&Itemid=462 for more details.


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Sold for
£3,500

Starting price
£3500