The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. P F Hall

Peter Frank Hall was born on 1st May 1916 in Hinckley, Leicestershire. After leaving school he worked in the family hosiery business. He played for Hinckley Rugby Club.

Hall joined the RAFVR about January 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot.

He married Marjorie Irene Thompson on 22nd April 1939 at St. Peters, Market Bosworth.

He was called up on 1st September 1939 and sent for training on No. 44 Course at 2 FTS Brize Norton.

While on the Advanced Training Squadron of 44 Course he stalled and crashed in Harvard P5836 while landing on 27th March 1940 but was unhurt.

He arrived at 5 OTU Aston Down on 6th May 1940 and after converting to Blenheims was posted to 235 Squadron on or about the 26th.

He flew his first operational sortie on 25th June 1940 and continued to fly regularly throughout the Battle of Britain period. He was posted away from 235 in May 1941 and commissioned on 30th December 1941.

In 1943 he was serving with 1409 Flight at Oakington. On 9th May he took off in Mosquito DZ316 for a meteorological flight over Holland but was shot down by Fw190s. He and his navigator P/O WC Woodruff baled out unhurt and evaded capture but later gave themselves up to avoid implicating civilian helpers.

Hall was sent to Stalag Luft 3 and took part in the forced march in the winter of 1944/45, ending up at Marlag naval camp where they were liberated.

Hall transferred to the RAFVR on 25th July 1947, relinquishing his commission on 25th July 1952.

He died on 29th March 1995 in Hinckley, Leicestershire.