Walter D'Arcy Hall

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lieutenant-Colonel Walter D'Arcy Hall, MC & Bar (10 August 1891 - January 22, 1980) was a soldier, Unionist Member of Parliament and hunter of game (big and small).

Hall was born in Australia, son of Thomas Skarratt Hall. He was educated at Eton College, Berkshire and at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He joined the 20th Hussars in 1911.

During the Great War Hall was awarded the Military Cross and Bar, and the Croix de Guerre. Perhaps his most gallant action occurred on 1 April 1918 when, with 138 men of the 20th Hussars, he formed a dismounted company in support of the 4th Dismounted Battalion, leading them in a counter-attack against Rifle Wood near Damart-sur-la-Luce. The wood was well defended, and the 20th suffered heavy casualties in the action. Nonetheless, Hall and his men captured the wood and held it until relieved by the infantry. For this and other dismounted actions by members of the 2nd Cavalry Division, the Division was warmly praised by the Commander of 4th Army, General Sir Henry Rawlinson. For a period Hall was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps as an observer.

Hall was elected Member of Parliament for the Welsh constituency of Brecon and Radnor on 29 October 1924 but lost his seat at the 1929 general election. He was re-elected for the same seat on 27 October 1931, serving until his retirement at the general election on 14 November 1935.

Hall was the father of the scientist Edward Thomas Hall.