Rifleman Thomas Hall, 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, Service Nos 2047 (NIH), 40842 (RIR).

Born Cootehill, County Cavan. Son on William and Mary Hall, Garvagh, County Derry.

Killed in action on 7 March 1917, aged 26, during heavy bombardment in the days following the capture of the enemy front and support lines east of Bouchvesnes, near the Somme. The Battalion diary states:

6.3.17. Shelling still severe but consolidation continued.

7.3.17. 5 OR killed, 19 OR wounded.

8.3.17. 11pm. Battalion relieved in the front line by 2 Rifle Brigade. Move to (..?..) in Bouchvesnes and Lock Barracks. ... 5 OR killed 18 OR wounded.

Buried at Sailly-Saillisel British Cemetery, Somme, France, grave XII.A.2. Grave inscription reads:

40842 RIFLEMAN

T. HALL

ROYAL IRISH RIFLES

7TH MARCH 1917 AGE 26

CALL HIM NOT DEAD

[remainder obscured]

Image kindly provided by Richard Evans. See his website Nelson, Glamorgan and the Great War http://www.nelson-ww1-memorial.org.uk.