A full-length portrait facing slightly to right. The sitter wears Arctic clothing and binoculars round his neck and he stands on the bridge of a corvette on Arctic duty. He leans on the compass binnacle on his right, with the speaking tube beside it.

Lieutenant Commander Harry John Hall commanded the corvette 'Lotus', K130 from 1942 to 1943, including PQ17 and other convoys, Operation Torch in the Mediterranean, and escorting floating docks to North Africa. Dring has concentrated on the bulkiness of the Arctic dress, boots, gloves and hood, the figure being encased with only his head uncovered. The attributes of binoculars and speaking tube emphasize the senses the sitter needed to remain in a continual state of vigilance, looking out for enemy shipping and aircraft.

Harry John Hall, Royal Navy Reserve, served with distinction during the Second World War. He was appointed sub-lieutenant on 28 May 1931, lieutenant on 6 November 1934, lieutenant-commander on 6 November 1942 and commander on 31 December; he retired from naval service on 1 July 1950. Hall was awarded the DSC in 1942 (with bar, 1944); the RD (Reserve Decoration) and DSO in 1943.

This portrait was commissioned when William Dring was an official war artist and the artist has signed the painting.