John Russell Mark Hall

 

St. Cadoc’s church, Cheriton 

Cheriton, Gower

St. Cadoc’s church, dedicated to St. Cadoc, who founded the monastery at Llancarfan.  It is possible that the church was built during the early 12^th century.  The church that stands today, was that of a church being rebuilt during the 13^th or 14^th centuries.

There is just the one military headstone in the churchyard, John Russell Mark Hall

Leading Aircraftman John Russell Mark Hall
St. Cadoc’s church, Cheriton 
credit - findagrave

Leading Aircraftman John Russell Mark Hall served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve died on the 20^th of July 1945 aged 28 years.  Son of John Percival and Florence Hall of Port Talbot.

John was born 1916, Eglwysilan, Glamorgan.  At the time of the 1921 census, the Hall family were residing at School House, Llantrisant, Monmouthshire.

1921 Census

John Percival, 36, was a Chemist Assistant working for Boots the Chemist but at the time of the census was unemployed.  John had been born in Cheriton.  Florence, 38, was a Schoolmistress Elementary employed by Monmouthshire Education Committee. Florence was born in Aberdare. Their eldest child was Maisie Winifred, 10, also John, 4.  Also present on the night of the census was Annie Maude Hodges, 32, unmarried sister of Florence.

John Percival Hall and Florence Hodges had been married December 1910 at St. John church, Aberdare.

John Percival Hall and Florence Hodges 
marriage certificate 
St. John church, Aberdare

At the time of the 1911 census, the couple were living at 71 Merthyr Road, Pontypridd.

1911 Census

John, 25, was a Chemist assistant shop, whilst Florence, 28 wasn’t employed.

John at the time of the First World War enlisted and served with the Royal Engineers and was ranked Lance Corporal.

John Percival Hall
Attestation Papers

The Neath Guardian

1936, John, was charged and fined for speeding in Neath.  The story was published in The Neath Guardian, 20^th March 1936.

At the outbreak of the Second World War and the 1939 Register, John and Florence along with their son John were living at 8 Victoria Gardens, Neath.

John’s occupation is recorded as Dispensing Chemist. Florence’s Certificated Teacher and John’s Auctioneers Clerk.

Following the Second World War, John, who served with the Royal Air Force, where he spent 4 and half years at Rhodesia.

Whilst on leave, John, went bathing with his sister and a girlfriend at Oxwich.  Whilst going for a swimming John lost his life from drowning.

Following a inquest, the coroner Mr Wilson, recorded a verdict “that death was caused by asphyxia due to accidental drowning”

John’s funeral was a private one, at Cheriton.  The Hall family were well-known Gower family.

The Neath Guardian 

Both The Neath Guardian and The Porthcawl Guardian reported the story.