Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Hall, one of 8 children of whom only 7 survived was the second born of 3 sons and had 2 elder and 2 younger sisters. His father Charles Hall originated from Woodstock, Oxfordshire where he was baptised at Kidlington, June 8th 1856. At the age of 16 Charles employed as a groom in the household at Witton-le-Wear, County Durham, of George Horne, a retired Army officer and now an adjutant of the Volunteers. Mr and Mrs Horne and their son George Jnr also employed a housemaid and a cook. Ten years later he was working as a coal miner, living as a boarder at Roddymoor Row, Crook and Billy Row, in the home of Jonathan and Jane Ellwood, their 3 children and granddaughter. He went on to marry their eldest daughter Margaret Ann Ellwood, born 1865 at Crook in the district of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, during the 3rd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1882. Their daughter Emma was born that same year, Jonathan in 1883, Margaret Jane 1885 and William in 1887, all at Crook. By 1891 the family had moved to 110, Close Row, Esh, Charles was employed at the colliery and the older children were scholars. Margaret Ann gave birth to a further 3 children all registered at Quebec, Ada in 1892, Lily 1894 and Charles Frederick 1899. They had returned to Crook by 1901 and occupied 16, Dyke Street, Charles had been joined at the colliery by Jonathan (18) a putter, and William, only 13 years of age, as a driver, Emma (19) was employed as a general servant, Margaret Jane as a dressmaker, Ada (8), Lily (6) and Charles Frederick (2) remained at home with their mother. Ten years later they were still living at the same address, William was the eldest living at home and helped his father maintain the family employed as a coal hewer.
William Hall was married in the district of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, in 1912, to local girl Janet I. Ross born March 16th 1891 and with whom he had 2 children, William Jnr born June 9th 1912 and James, June 23rd 1914.
August 4th 1914 Britain declared war on Germany. William Hall enlisted and was assigned as Private13499 to the 6th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment formed at Beverley, August 27th 1914 as part of Kitchener’s First New Army under the orders of the 32nd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division. December 1914 it became the Pioneer Battalion to the Division. July 1st 1915 Private Hall departed with his regiment from Avonmouth for Gallipoli via Mundros and landed at Sulva Bay, August 7th 1915. Two days later William was amongst the missing and after extensive investigations as to his whereabouts Private William Hall was struck off and presumed to have died August 9th 1915. He was 28 years of age.
The sacrifice of Private 13499 William Hall East Yorkshire Regiment is recorded as one of the 20,959 name inscribed on the Helles Memorial which takes the form of an oblique over 30 metres high standing on the tip of the Gallipoli Peninsula and can be seen by ships passing through the Dardanelles.
His widow received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their 2 children and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
William’s youngest brother Charles Frederick also served and was killed in France, October 31st 1918, only 11 days before the Armistice of November 11th.
Janet re-married in 1917, district of Bishop Auckland, to Adam Lionel Clifford of Gateshead, born January 31st 1888 and with whom she had a further 2 children, Janet born April 12th 1920 and Adam Cook Clifford, July 22nd 1922. In 1939 they and their respective children were living at 181, Rectory Road, Gateshead, County Durham. Adam was employed as a coal miner, William Hall Jnr was employed as a warehouse keepers clerk, James Hall a driver for L.N.E.R., Janet assisted her mother at home and Adam was a butcher’s apprentice.
Janet I. Clifford-Hall nee Ross died at Gateshead, County Durham in 1973 aged 82 years.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
William Hall is remembered at Esh Winning on E67.01 and at Quebec on Q2.06
