Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Robert Hall was born 1892 at Fatfield, County Durham the eldest of 6 surviving sons and 2 daughters, (2 deceased gender unknown). His father George Hall a colliery engine man, born 1971 at Haltwhistle, Northumberland married Susannah Willis native of Coxhoe born 1872 in the district of Sunderland in 1890, setting up home at Fatfield Square, Harraton. In 1911, by the time Robert was 19 years old, they had moved to 16, Second Street, High Heworth, County Durham, Robert and his father were employed at Heworth Colliery as engine men, his younger brother William (16) as a screener.
On the outbreak of war Robert Hall enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and was initially assigned as Private 322 to the newly formed 18th Battalion (1st Tyneside Pioneers) Northumberland Fusiliers raised October 14th 1914. They converted to a Pioneer Battalion February 8th 1915 joining the 34th Division which after final training at Ripon and Salisbury Plain departed to France landing at Le Havre, January 8th 1916. Whilst at the front he was transferred to the 14th Battalion N. F. attached to the 21st Division, exact date unknown, however, both battalions participated at the Battles of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive and Third Battle of Ypres in 1917 and were back on the Somme at the Battle of Lys, April 1918.
Private 18/322 Robert Hall Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action May 25th 1918 during the failed attempt to defend Marfaux on the Marne, France which was captured by the Germans. After Armistice Marfaux British Cemetery was begun and over a period of several years bodies were brought in from the surrounding battlefields and smaller cemeteries. Private Hall’s grave reference is Vaux-Varennes French Military Cemetery 2 referring to the cemetery at Bouvancourt where his was the only British serviceman’s body to be found, having been buried there by the Germans along with 400 French and 60 of their own. At the time of his demise he was 26 years old and single.
His mother Susannah received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 15, Second Street, High Heworth, County Durham. She commissioned at a cost of 7 shillings an additional inscription to be added to his military gravestone, it reads, “His Name Liveth For Evermore.”
George Henry Hall died aged 57 years in 1927, details of Susannah Hall nee Willis, unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Robert Hall is remembered at Heworth on H92.03, H92.04 and H92.07
