Hooge Crater Cemetery

Hooge Crater Cemetery

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

John William Hall, one of 13 children, of whom by 1911 only 7 had survived, was the 2nd born of 4 sons, had 5 younger sisters and 4 other siblings, gender unknown. His father George originated from Farnworth, near Bolton, Lancashire where he was born in 1859. At the age of 13, his widowed father Charles Hall, a painter and decorator had returned to the north east where he was born, settling with his children, George, Charles and Margaret at 22, Princes Street, Westoe, County Durham. Ten years later they had moved to number 31, Margaret cared for the home and her brothers were now also employed as painters.

George Hall was married in 1884, district of South Shields to local girl Margaret Benham Gilchrist, born 1865. Son George E. Hall was born at South Shields, October 3rd 1884, John William, July 10th 1890 at 20, Alfred Street, the home of his widowed grandmother Mary Gilchrist where the Halls were living, also in the household was Margaret’s brother John Stephen employed as a butcher. Over the next 10 years George and Margaret’s family grew with the birth of Charles Bertram, April 30th 1895, Eveline, October 31st 1895, Alice Maud, September 2nd 1897 and Ernest Hall, October 5th 1899. Although they all continued to live together by 1901 George was listed as head of the household, still a painter and decorator his eldest son George Edward was employed as a carpenter, John William (10) and his younger siblings although of school age are not listed as scholars. The last of the children were born between 1903 and 1907, Jennie, September 22nd 1903, Catherine known as Kate and Kitty, during the 2rd quarter (Apr/MayJun) 1904 only a few months before the death of her sister Eveline during the 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug Sep) 1904 and brother Charles who died during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1904. Elaine the youngest was born in 1907 then tragedy struck once more when Margaret Benham Hall nee Gilchrist died during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1908, aged 53 years. By 1911 John William (20) was George’s only son still living at home at 38, Cambridge Street, South Shields, unlike his father he had chosen to work as a labourer at the colliery, helping to support his 4 younger siblings.

John William was married, August 17th 1912, at St. Michaels’ Church, South Shields, to Isabella Peart born at Weardale, County Durham in 1890, with whom he had an only child, Elizabeth Jane born May 1st 1913. John’s father died during the the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1914 within months of the commencement of war with Germany. John William in 1914 was living at Maxwell Street, he enlisted November 11th 1914 at South Shields, assigned initially to the Royal Garrison Artillery he was posted to Newhaven joining his unit the following day. January 1st 1915 he returned to the north east having been posted to the 47th Company R.G.A. based at Tynemouth part of the North Eastern Coastal Defences, until June 7th 1915, he was transferred to the 3rd Battalion Yorks and Lancashire Regiment at Sunderland, part of the Tyne Defences. Private Hall remained at Sunderland until being transferred to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, September 16th 1916, also at Sunderland. As Private 55012 Northumberland Fusiliers he departed from Newcastle-upon-Tyne railway station to join his regiment in the field, arriving at the Infantry Base Depot in France the following day. At the depot he was transferred once again for the final time to the 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, August 7th 1917, joining his regiment in the field engaging the enemy on the Ypres salient in Belgium, having just concluded their participation during the Battle of Pilkemen Ridge, July 31st-August 7th 1917. The 20th D.L.I. attached to the 123rd Brigade, 41st Division then took part in the third British general attack during the Third Battle of Ypres at the Battle of Menin Road, September 20th-27th 1917.

Private 520012 John William Hall was killed in action, September 23rd 1917, his body buried by his comrades on the battlefield in a small concentration of men from various regiments at map reference J. 20. d. 20. 15, marked with a cross bearing his name and military details. After the Armistice at the request of the Belgian and French Governments isolated graves and small concentrations were brought into large cemeteries. The cross placed upon the grave of Private Hall had been destroyed by subsequent actions in the area, his exhumed remains were identified by means of a disc and brought into Hooge Crater Cemetery for reburial with all honour and reverence by an Army Chaplain, between December 1919 and January 12th 1920. Private 55012 John William Hall is at rest, grave XVI. J. 4. At the time of his demise in 1917 he was 27 years of age although his gravestone states 28 years.

His widow received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their child of 20 pounds 5 shillings a week as of August 12th 1918, his awards of the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 2 discs found on his remains, sent to her at 14, Strainton Street, South Shields, County Durham.

Further details unknown.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

John William Hall is possibly remembered at South Shields as J. Hall D.L.I. on S86.130

He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 259

The CWGC entry for Private Hall