Leading Aircraftman Alfred Percy Hall
Alfred Percy Hall was born on 18th May, 1901, and baptised at St. Matthew’s, Northampton. His Father, Alfred, was a laster (shoemaker – the laster stretches and stitches the upper to the sole).
By 1911, Alfred’s mother, Sally Ann, had been widowed and was living with her five sons and one daughter – the three eldest were all working in the boot trade. Alfred, the fourth child was 9 years old and presumably still at school.
Alfred enlisted in the RAF on 27th July, 1920, giving his civilian occupation as ‘tailor’, and he appears to have remained in this trade throughout his time in the RAF. He was posted to No.1 Group, at Kenley, on 28th September, 1920, and transferred to 24 Squadron in February, 1923.
For reasons unknown, he went absent without leave from 31st July, 1924, and it appears that he drowned in unknown circumstances, sometime around 5th August.
The Surrey Mirror and County post reported the incident on 15th August, 1924. I suspect that ‘Castle Abbey’ may, in fact, be Castle Ashby:
An airman’s death – News reached the RAF aerodrome at Kenley, on Friday afternoon last week, that Alfred Percy Hall, of the 24th squadron of the RAF., had been found drowned in a pond at Castle Abbey, near Northampton. He had been missing for a few days, and his home is situated in the district of the pond. His body was identified by his Mother. He was a young man and had been in the RAF only a short time.
Rest in peace Sir and thank you for your service.
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