CWGC headstone

Robert Hall

His niece, Gillian Manifold Burgess, writes:

F/Sgt Robert Hall Service No. 971505 - No. 29 Squadron 12 Group

Robert Hall joined the RAFVR in September 1939 at Padgate (Blackpool) and would have then gone to an Initial Training Wing and the Wireless School probably Shawbury and Gunnery School. He was trained as an Airman u/t Air Gunner and was posted directly to No. 29 Squadron at RAF Wellingore, Lincolnshire (UK) where the Squadron was re-equipped with Bristol Blenheims to help patrol over shipping and for early trials with airborne radar.

When German night bombers began operating in strength in June 1940, No 29 Squadron became fully involved in night fighting.

Robert made his first operational sortie with the squadron on September 15, 1940, as Air Gunner in a Bristol Blenheim. September 15th 1940, was considered to be the turning point of the Battle of Britain and it was also felt it was the turning point of the whole war.

In October 1940 the squadron started to receive the more modern Bristol Beaufighter Mk IFs with Mk IV AI radars and it was February 1941 before the Squadron was fully equipped.

December 1940, No. 29 Squadron split into 2 groups A FLIGHT Beaufighters (4 pilots) and B FLIGHT Blenheims (9 pilots).

1 December 1940 Guy Gibson took his first flight in a Beaufighter practising circuits and landings at Wellingore.

5 December 1940 Guy Gibson went off in bad weather for 80 minutes of A1 practice, he discovered the importance of night fighting teamwork. He learned that control lay not in the cockpit but at the A1 Operator's position some yards aft.

Robert's final sortie, as an Air Gunner, was on December 12, 1940 and we believe his pilot was P/O Lovell. Robert decided he wanted to train as a Radar Operator in the new Beaufighter and stay with No. 29 Squadron.

It is believed he was paired with P/O Charles R Miles during his Radar Operator training at the Operational Training Unit.

29 March 1941 was when Miles and Hall flew their first Beaufighter sortie.

16 April 1941 it is believed Robert Hall went up with Wing Commander Guy Gibson to "test the cannons" in a Beaufighter.

Miles and Hall: Sorties on 17th & 20th April 1941
29 April 1941 No. 29 Squadron left Wellingore for West Malling, Kent in a formation of 8. >

Miles and Hall: Sorties on 7th, 9th, and 10th May 1941

The London Gazette 4th July 1941 announced:

Charles Miles promoted to Flying Officer from probationary Pilot Officer status on
13th May 1941. (Seniority 3rd Oct. 1940.)
Charles Robert MILES (78528).

Miles and Hall: Sorties on 13th, 17th and 27th May 1941

Remaining days of May were occupied with training.

Miles and Hall; Sorties on 11th and 13th June 1941

No. 29 Squadron rehearsed new low flying techniques to catch the enemy.

Miles and Hall; Sorties on 2nd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 13th, 17th, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 28th July 1941. They shot down a JU88 near Horsham. Hall flew his last Beaufighter sortie on October 3 1941.

7 October 1941. Hall was flying with Flying Officer C R Miles, in Beaufighter T3355, the aircraft crashed when it hit high ground at Westfield Sole, Kent, due to foggy weather conditions, both were killed.

Sgt. Robert Hall is commemorated on the Christopher Foxley-Morris Wall at the Battle of Britain Memorial site at Capel le Ferne, Kent and also in the Battle of Britain Memorial in London. His headstone says he was "Among the first of the Few" in recognition of his part in the Battle of Britain.

We are sad that we never met him and he lost his life, along with so many others who didn't come home fighting for our freedom. His sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Robert Hall is remembered at Felling on F32.10

The CWGC entry for Flight Sergeant Hall