Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Edward (Edwin) Blytheman Hall was the eldest of 4 children, 2 sons and 2 daughters, offspring of Edward Hall Snr born 1863 at Heddon, Northumberland and Annie Coatsworth born 1872 at Hamsterley, County Durham. Edward’s (Snr) family had transferred to Castleside, County Durham, when he was 2 years of age, the couple settled there after their marriage in 1896 in the district of Bishop Auckland, County Durham. Edward Jnr was born in 1897, Mabel Annie 1899, Mary Elizabeth in 1900 whilst the family were living in 5 rooms at 17, Maudville, Castleside, his father employed as a stationary engine driver. Edward's only brother Lancelot William Hall was born in 1904. Although the family remained at the same address, Edward Snr by 1911 was working for Consett Iron and Steel Company as a boiler-man at the steel plate mill. His children, including Edward Jnr (13) were all scholars.
Upon the outbreak of war Edward was only 16/17 years of age, still too young to enlist, however, although his military record has not been found he enlisted once he turned 18, in mid to late 1915, at Consett, where he was assigned as Private 27287 and after his initial training posted to the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. The 2nd Battalion had been on the Western Front since October 6th 1914, having been recalled upon the outbreak of war from Guernsey, arriving at Southampton August 28th. Private Hall joined his regiment in the field attached to the 21st Brigade, 30th Division, which had participated during the closing Battles of the Somme at the Battle of Transloy, October 1st-18th 1916, transferring to the Arras sector where in the spring of 1917 it was involved in the Arras Offensive, April 9th-May 16th 1916, remaining at its termination in the surrounding sector.
Private 27287 Edward Blytheman Hall Yorkshire Regiment was reported as missing and after extensive investigations as to his whereabouts officially struck off and is presumed to have died, “on or since” August 17th 1917.
His sacrifice is recorded as one of 20,642 names inscribed on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, which forms the back and sides of Dud Corner Cemetery, Loos-en-Gohelle, NW of Lens. He was 19 years of age and single.
His father received all monies due to him, his mother a pension of 4 shillings a week as of October 12th 1917, sent to her at 17, Maudville, Castleside, Consett, County Durham, as were his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Tragedy struck the Hall family again in 1918 when their son Lancelot William Hall died aged only 14 years of age. With the loss of both male heirs this branch of the Hall family ceased to exist.
Edward Hall died aged 64 years in 1927, registered district of Lanchester, County Durham. Details as regards Annie Hall nee Coatsworth, unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Edward Blytheman Hall is remembered at Castleside on C113.01
