Hall-Dempster | Reginald Hawkins | | Lieutenant Colonel | HALL-DEMPSTER, REGINALD HAWKINS, Lieutenant Colonel, was born 14 March 1854, son of Captain Henry Hall. He was educated at Wellington College, and was gazetted to the South Lancashire Regiment 12 November 1873, as Lieutenant; was Adjutant, South Lancashire Regiment, 10 January 1883 to 9 January 1888; Captain 15 July 1883; Major 27 March, 1893. He served in the South African War, 1899-1902; was present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including the operations of 17 to 24 January 1900, and action at Spion Kop; operations of 5 to 7 February 1900, and action at Vaal Kranz; operations on Tugela Heights (14 to 27 February 1900). In command of 1st Battalion South Lancashire Regiment during operations in the Transvaal, 30 November 1900 to March 1901. and November 1901 to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February 1901, and 29 July 1902]; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Reginald Hawkins Hall, Lieutenant Colonel, South Lancashire Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were sent to Lord Roberts in South Africa, and presented by Lieutenant General Lyttelton at Newcastle 28 April 1902. He as given the Brevet of Colonel 10 February 1904, and retired with the rank of Colonel 3 August 1904. Colonel Hall married, in 1894, Edith Gertrude Dickson, eldest daughter of Reverend Francis Home Atkinson, of Morland Hall, Westmorland, and they had one daughter. His name was changed by deed-poll to R H Hall-Dempster.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Prince of Wales's Volunteers) South Lancashire Re |