Story:
Claude Miles Hall was born in 1893 in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. (Registry Office entry shows him as 'Claud'). He was the son of William Hall, a farmer, and Annie Elizabeth Hall (née Miles). He attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from September 1905 to December 1907. When he left school he became a farmer and at the time of the 1911 Census he was single and living at Hillside Farm, Shaftesbury.

On a list of old boys who have recently joined up, the June 1917 edition of the Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine shows that Claude had enlisted in Dublin, Ireland, and joined the 8th (King’s Royal Irish) Hussars (Service No. H/35308). In March 1918 it is noted that he visited the school while home on leave. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. At the time of his death he was attached to the 1st Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers and held the rank of Private. He was killed in France on 22nd August 1918 and was re-interred buried in the Bray Military Cemetery, Bray-sur-Somme, France (grave id. II.J.21), having been moved from a nearby temporary battlefield burial. He is remembered on the war memorial at Ludwell and on the memorial at Shaftesbury School.  Claude's brother, Alfred John Reginald (aka Reginald) Hall, also served in the conflict, but survived.

His name was also included on a hand written list of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving during the war. An asterix can be seen next to Claude's name, indicating that he had died. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

Printed Sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1917
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, March 1918
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, November 1918