Lance Corporal Edward Hall
Edward Hall was born on 17 March 1891 at Doocarrick, Lisnageer, County Cavan, the third of four children of farmer David Hall and his wife Emily (nee Gardiner). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living with his parents and three brothers and working on the family farm.
Hall enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Coppanagh, County Cavan, on 11 August 1913 (No.862 – later Corps of Hussars No.71135). His older brother William Hall was already serving in the regiment. Edward and William embarked for France with A Squadron on 17 August 1914, seeing action on the retreat from Mons and advance to the Aisne.
In May 1916 A Squadron came together with D and E Squadrons to form the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to VII, XIX, then V Corps until February-March 1918, when the regiment was dismounted and converted to a cyclist unit. This meant a 25 per cent reduction in the regiment's numbers. Many of the surplus men were transferrd to other regiments.
On 13 April 1918 Hall was posted to the Military Mounted Police on probation, with the rank of lance corporal. His transfer was confirmed on 20 June 1918. (His brother William was transferred to the Military Mounted Police at the same time.) He was issued regimental number P/15735 and posted to the Third Army's 4th Traffic Control Squadron. He remained with the Military Police until the end of the war, serving for a period of time in the Army of Occupation in Germany.
Hall returned to the UK on 16 April 1919. A month later he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.