Hall, William Cecil John

Lieutenant William Cecil John Hall

was born in Lack, Kesh, Co. Fermanagh on 11th June 1893 to William Hall, Schoolmaster and Sarah Mary Hall nee Noble. They had married on 25th August 1892 at Colaghty Church of Ireland, Co. Fermanagh.

In 1901 Cecil (7) lived in house 18, Lack Village, Lack, Co. Fermanagh with his parents and 2 brothers; Fred (2) and an un-named one (date of birth - 29th January 1901).

A brother, George Walter Hall, aged 11 months died on 28th February 1904 at Lack. The un-named child, now Theodore Walter Hall, aged 3 1/2 died on 24th June 1904.

By 1911, the family property was known as house 25, Lack Town, Lack, Co. Fermanagh. In addition to his parents, Cecil had 3 brothers; Frederick Vincent (12), Laurence Whitcombe Noble (5) and Rupert Walter Ewing (2).

On 18th April 1911, Hall joined Northern Bank at Head Office. A transfer to Grafton Street followed in that year.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Northern Bank, Grafton Street, Dublin (tall building with chimneys)

Whilst based in Grafton Street, on 9th September 1914 aged 21, Cecil volunteered and enlisted into the South Irish Horse as a Trooper for 1 year or the duration of the war. His Service Number is recorded as 1117.

W C J Hall - Medal Index Card

He was promoted through the ranks from Lance Corporal, Corporal, Sergeant, Sergeant Major before being Gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th Reserve Cavalry. Later, he joined the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons and was promoted Lieutenant. 

Cecil was injured 3 times; concussion twice and gassed once. 

Demobilisation came in June 1919 and he was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in the Great War.

Following demobilisation, Cecil re-joined the Northern Bank on 24th February 1919 at Portadown.

Northern Bank, Portadown branch in background
(scout leader is not known)

Transfers followed to Head Office – Foreign Department (1920), Lisburn (1927) and Windsor (1934).

Northern Bank, Lisburn branch

Site of the later Northern Bank, Windsor branch 

on the corner of Tate's Avenue, Belfast

Cecil was elected Treasurer of the local Royal British Legion branch in Lisburn. The 'Belfast News Letter' published on 22nd March 1934 carried a photograph of Cecil's leaving dinner from his post in Lisburn.

W C J Hall, Northern Bank, Lisburn - Leaving Dinner

Cecil's wife, Elizabeth Whalley Hall died on 7th February 1936 at 49 Adelaide Park, Belfast.

In 1936, Cecil had property stolen from his motor-car:

Belfast News Letter published on 21st August 1936