Mr. William Hale

The Times 7th November 1922

A correspondent writes: Mr. William Hale, whose death was announced in The Times last week, was one of the oldest practising solicitors in England. He was within two months of reaching his 88th year, but was at work at his office till a few weeks ago, and had continued in active practice for over sixty-four years. His father was of Batheaston, near Bath, and his mother was a daughter of Admiral Shirley, also of Bath. Educated at Bruton School and on the Continent, he was admitted a solicitor in 1858. In 1865 he joined the firm of Young, Jones, and Co, (then at St. Mildred’s-court, Poultry, in offices they occupied for nearly a century, and now at Suffolk-lane, Cannon-street), and was soon after concerned in the heavy litigation arising out of the failure of Overend, Gurney, and Co. He had a great experience in licensing matters, having acted for many years for the City of London Brewery Company and other brewers. Mr. Hale had been a member of the Junior Carlton Club since its foundation, and was also an original member of the City of London Solicitors’ Company, on the Court of which he served for several years.

He married, in 1868, Eleanor Mary, daughter of Ralph Husey; she died after a few years. Two daughters survive him, the elder married to W. Hastings Dauney and the younger to Sir Laming Worthington-Evans, Bt., Secretary of State for War in the late Administration. Mr. Hale was an exceptionally active and young-looking man for his age; for nearly fifty years he had taken an early morning ride in Rotten Row, and he was also a great walker, especially in Switzerland. His simple and attractive manner endeared him to his many friends, by whom he will be greatly missed.