In Ovillers Military Cemetery, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of 24/1684 Private William Hall, serving with the 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers who died 01/07/1916.

The son of John and E. A. Hall, of 82, South Row, West Sleekburn Colliery, Northumberland.

Carole Fife has provided the following:

William was born in Bedlington in 1892, the second son of John and Elizabeth Hall of South Row, West Sleekburn, and became a miner like his father.

He enlisted in Blyth, and served first in the Army Catering Corps (9744) before transferring to the 1st Tyneside Irish.

The Blyth News03/08/1916 reports
‘Cyclist W. Hall of West Sleekburn is missing’

As a cyclist he was probably acting as a battalion messenger. It is not until 29th March 1917 that the newspaper reports
‘ Pte W. Hall of 82, South Row, West Sleekburn, missing since 1st July 1916 has been officially reported Killed in Action’
But his body was found and he is buried in Ovillers Military Cemetery.

William Hall is remembered in Bedlington Station on B163.04