Hale, Arthur – Born: Bungay, Suffolk on 25.11.1898.[1]   Parents: Harry James Hale of Long Melford (Butcher) and Eliza Elizabeth [née Page].  Family Connections: Brother to Harry Alan Hale [b1897] and Ernest Hale [b1901]. Home: Broad Street, Bungay, Suffolk (1901), Ditchingham Dam, Ditchingham, Norfolk (1911), Milestone Cottage, Andover Road, Highclere, Berkshire [1926] to (1939).  Occupation: General Labourer [1921], Chauffeur (1939).  Married: Eveline Louise Ilott in 1934.  Service Record: Arthur enlisted in 1914 as Pte.5225 of 4^th Battalion [Territorial], Norfolk Regiment.  He was posted to France from 18.12.1917 as Pte.201200 with 8^th [Service] Battalion, Norfolks, as part 53^rd Brigade, 18^th [Eastern] Division.  Upon the disbanding of this unit in February 1918 Hale was transferred to 9^th [Service]Battalion, Norfolks as part of 71^st Brigade, 6^th Division, remaining on the Western Front until 17.10.1918.  His battalion was to see action during the German Spring Offensive, the Advance in Flanders, and the Battles of the Hindenburg Line.  By the time of his discharge in April 1919 he was serving as Pte.205720 with 11^th [Service] Battalion, Essex Regiment, a sister unit within the same brigade and division.  He reenlisted in the army, joining the Territorials in 1921, serving as Tpr.540916 with the Suffolk Yeomanry, transferring to 103^rd Suffolk Brigade, Royal Field Artillery up to his discharge in 1926.[2]

Hale, Harry Alan – Born: Bungay, Suffolk in 1897.  Parents: Harry James Hale of Long Melford (Butcher) and Eliza Elizabeth [née Page].  Family Connections: Brother to Arthur Hale [b1898] and Ernest Hale [b1901]. Home: Broad Street, Bungay, Suffolk (1901), Ditchingham Dam, Ditchingham, Norfolk (1911).  Occupation: Errand Boy (1911).  Service Record: Harry enlisted as Pte.1405 with his local Territorial force in Ditchingham, F Company, 6^th [Cyclist] Battalion, Norfolk Regiment.  He was later transferred as Pte.43405 to 1^st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment and posted to France as part of 2^nd Brigade, 1^st Division.[3]   Died: killed in action on 21.12.1916 and buried in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery [grave ref: IX.J.23], Longueval, Somme, France.[4]

Hale, Ernest – Born: Ditchingham, Norfolk on 29.8.1901.  Parents: Harry James Hale of Long Melford (Butcher) and Eliza Elizabeth [née Page].  Family Connections: Brother to Arthur Hale [b1898] and Harry Alan Hale [b1897]. Home: Ditchingham Dam, Ditchingham, Norfolk (1911).  Occupation: Carter [1919].  Married: Gladys Maud Parr in 1926.  Service Record: Up to 1919 Ernest had been issued the service No.257417, suggesting he had been conscripted and seen service during the First World War.  He reenlisted in January 1919 as Gnr.1037528 with the Royal Artillery, receiving his discharge in 1925.[5]

Notes – [1] Date of birth from the 1939 Register.  [2] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Medal Roll [WO 329] and Medal Index Card [WO 372].  Additional information from www.longlongtrail.co.uk.  [3] For details of the Northamptonshire’s movements in late 1916 see War Diary [WO 95/1271/1].  Also see his Medal Roll [WO 329] and Medal Index Card [WO 372].  [4] British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 and Commonwealth War Grave Commission.  [5] RA Record 1037001.