Morpeth Herald 31/08/1917 carries an obituary:
MORPETH SOLDIER KILLED
Mrs J. Hall, New Phoenix Yard, Morpeth, whose husband, Private John Hall (38480), Lancashire Fusiliers, was previously reported missing, has now had official news that he was killed in action. Mrs Hall has received the following letter from Second Lieut. T. Pagett, Lancashire Fusiliers:-
Dear Mrs Hall,- Please accept my heartfelt sympathy in the sad loss you have sustained through the death of your husband. He was killed while rushing up a trench to the help of a wounded comrade. The Germans were shelling heavily at the time, and a shell burst right in the trench and killed him instantaneously along with one of his comrades.
We buried them both together the same night behind the trench. I hope the grave will soon be out of shell fire, as we are advancing in that part of the line. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy, and may God be your comfort in your sorrow.- Yours sympathetically, T. Pagett, Second-Lieut., L.F.
Previous to enlistment Private Hall was employed by Mr A. Straughan, of the Black Bull Livery Stables. He was well-known in Morpeth and district, and had not been in France quite eleven weeks when he met his death. He was 31 years of age.
