Gertie, nee Traill was the neice of Ralph Robert Traill and Gladys Sidebotham, nee Traill. She was married to Lieutenant George Hall, Royal Navy, who was killed in action serving on HMS Avenger, an escourt aircrft carrier which was sunk by a U-Boat in 1942
Gertie was born in Argentina and had been living and working in Buenos Aires. In 1940, aged 24, she came to England paying her own passage in third class, as her father had refused to pay, not wanting her to go. Since there were only only 25-30 passengers the Captain took pity on her and moved her up to join the other volunteers for the war. There was only one other woman passenger. George Hall was one of the volunteers.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Hill Outstation | Operator | Unknown | 07 Jul 1944 |
1927-1933 boarding at Sherborne School, Dorset. During school holidays she stayed with Uncle Ralph and Gladys Traill in Ottery St Mary.
Civilian secretary and book keeper.
She joined the Woman's Auxiliary Air Force in 1940, becoming a Section Officer in Intelligence Operations in 1941 at RAF Horsham St Faith, north of Norwich, Norfolk, where she was listed as Mrs. Hall after her marriage.
She relinquished her commission in August 1942 and returned to Ottery St Mary to have her first child. Her husband George was killed 15 Nov 1942 when his ship was torpedoed off Portugal. Gertie received the news on 26 Nov and her first child was born at Ottery St Mary 3 Dec 1942.
They returned to Argentina in 1944 and she later married Malcolm Benitz.