David was educated at the London Choir School, being a chorister at the King's Chapel of the Savoy. He was called up for National Service for action in the Korean War, remaining for a career in the Royal Engineers, and seeing action in Cyprus (EOKA) and the Congo (Zaire). He went to Staff College, and at the age of 49 he retired early and at once became Director of the Foundation for Science and Technology in London, giving him an extremely happy second career, finally retiring at the age of 66. He was appointed OBE for his work at the Foundation.
Hall took a keen interest in deserts with expeditions to Libya and the Southern Sahara and this brought a close involvement with the Royal Geographical Society. He chaired the Palestine Exploration Fund and the Frederick Soddy Trust.
He started water colours under the guidance of Jane Anderson Wood, and, on moving to Wales in 2011, under Niel Bally. He tried other media, but quickly settled firmly on water colours.
He is married to Harriet (nee McElwee), and they have three children who to date show no bending towards the paint brush.
