Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the only son of Mr and Mrs James Hall. James was taught by Mr H. T. Bastard at the Whitwick Church School, and was also a member of the Wesleyan Church on Belvoir Road, also being a member of Mr T. Frith’s Bible Class. After leaving school he was employed at Stablefords Wagon Works where his father also had employment. He enlisted into the 1st/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment in mid August 1914, and was wounded in Belgium, later being sent home suffering from trench feet. Upon recovery he was transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment, and on the 14th October 1917 sent a field postcard home to his parents stating he was quite well and was delighted at being promoted to Lance Corporal. His parents received a letter on Monday 29th October 1917 informing them that their only son had been killed in action in the Loos Sector of France. The War Diary for today records that the Battalion were in the Front Line, St. Emile sub Section. Enemy artillery active, chiefly on Support Company, otherwise quiet day. Slight Trench Mortar activity by enemy on front line. At 11.30pm Brigade Operational Order number 244 received relative to relief (1) Of 71st Infantry Brigade by 18th Infantry Brigade in Auguste sector. (2) Of 16th Infantry Brigade by 71st Infantry Brigade in St. Emile sector. Casualties, other ranks B Company 1 killed.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article – Friday October 23rd, 1914

DO YOU KNOW

That fifty of the Coalville Territorial recruits have been selected to make up the 5th Battalion Leicestershire about to go abroad?

(James was one of these Famous ‘First Fifty’ as they would be forever remembered – only 22 would return)

Coalville Times article – Friday October 30th, 1914

LOCAL NEWS

Fifty of the Coalville Territorial recruits who have been selected to make up the 5th Battalion for France received their clothes yesterday preparatory to leaving for Luton to-day (Friday).

Coalville Times article – Friday October 30th, 1914

COALVILLE TERRITORIALS LEAVE THIS MORNING
ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF

Fifty of the Territorial Reserves selected to make up the 5th Battalion at Luton left Coalville for that place by the 9 o’clock train this morning (Friday) amid scenes of great enthusiasm. The railway station, bridge, and approaches thereto, were crowded with hundreds of people, and the Coalville lads had a much hearty send-off. The crowd included the Vicar, curate and many of the leading residents of the town and district. The Territorials looked very smart in their new uniforms and before they left they found in their pockets packets of cigarettes and chocolates, a pleasant surprise which a number of Coalville ladies and gentlemen had thoughtfully prepared for them. While waiting for the train they and the crowd sang “It’s a long way to Tipperary” and other popular martial airs, and the train left amid ringing cheers.

Coalville Times article – Friday November 6th, 1914

LOCAL CHIT CHAT

Several of the Coalville friends of the fifty Territorial Reserves who left here for Luton last Friday have received letters which show that the men are in excellent spirits. Upon arrival at Luton they were allotted to various companies and were billeted at houses in the town, being supplied with warm blankets, and the food was stated to be good and plenty of it. It is just possible that they may have left Luton by now, as a letter received from one of them yesterday, stated they were mobilising on Wednesday and were expected to leave for an unknown destination. Since arriving at Luton on Friday they have had gun practice, several long marches and engaged in mimic warfare.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 18th, 1917

Private James Horace Hall, who has been at Coalville on sick leave this week, returning to his regiment on Tuesday, was one of the first fifty Territorials to leave the town on a memorable day in October 1914. He was wounded in the arm in the famous charge by the Leicesters at Hullock, on October 13th, 1915, and returned to the Front after his recovery. His incapacity for service at present is due to trench feet. Private Hall before the war worked at Stableford’s. He is a son of Mr James Hall, of 86, Belvoir Road.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 2nd, 1917

Mr and Mrs James Hall, of 86, Belvoir Road, Coalville on Monday morning received official intimation that their only son, Lance-Corporal James Horace Hall, of the Leicesters was killed in action on October 15th. The news came as a great surprise as they had received a field card from the deceased soldier dated October 14th, stating that he was quite well. He received his first stripe only a few days before his death. It was his third time at the Front, having been wounded once, and was on another occasion, sent home suffering from trench feet. He returned to France shortly after last Whitsuntide. Lance-Corporal Hall, who was 22 years of age, was one of Mr H. T. Bastard’s old boys of the Whitwick Church School and was a member of the Coalville Wesleyan Church and of Mr T. Frith’s Bible Class. He was one of the first fifty Territorials to leave Coalville, and before the war was engaged as a striker at Messrs. Stableford’s Works, where his father is also employed.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 9th, 1917

IN MEMORIAM

Mr and Mrs Hall and Family desire to thank all friends and neighbours for their sympathy with them in their recent bereavement through the loss of their son and brother, Lance-Corporal James Horace Hall, killed in action on October 15th. 86, Belvoir Road, Coalville.

“In health and strength he left his home,
Not thinking death so near;
Death came without a warning given,
And bade him meet his God in Heaven.
His King and country called him,
The call was not in vain,
On Britain’s Roll of Honour,
You will find our loved one’s name.”

Coalville Times article - Friday December 28th, 1917.

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Mr and Mrs James Hall, of 86, Belvoir Road, Coalville, on Monday received a letter from a captain in the Leicesters relating to the death of their only son, Lance-Corporal James Horace Hall, killed in action on October 15th. After apologising for delay in writing, the captain says that Hall was killed about 6.30 on the morning of October 15th, when they were just issuing the rum ration to their men. The letter continues, “I, with two other officers, my sergeant-major, two or three sergeants and your son were standing in a bunch round a dug-out doorway when suddenly, without any warning, a light shell, commonly known as a “Whizz-bang” hit the top of our trench. When the smoke had cleared, I saw that one man had been hit, and to my profound regret, saw that it was your son. A large piece of shell case hit him in the back of the head and killed him instantly. There was nothing we could do. The stretcher-bearers were a few yards away, but the poor fellow was gone. That is one thing we can be thankful for. He knew nothing about it, and let us hope that now his soul is enjoying the rest it deserves. I know what your grief must be to lose such a fine son. You cannot imagine, perhaps, so easily, the pain it causes me to lose men, especially those of your son’s stamp. He was one of the best type of soldier we ever get – clean, smart, devoted to his duties, brave, and very popular with his officers and comrades. Quite recently, I had persuaded him to accept a lance-stripe, and I hoped in time to have a very useful N.C.O. in him. But, alas! It was not to be. He is at rest, at peace with all; it is only us who are left behind, who suffer for him. He was given a decent Christian burial in a recognised cemetery, and one day you will be able to look at his grave.” Lance-Corporal Hall was 22 years of age, and before the war worked for Messrs. Stableford and Co. Coalville, by whom his father is also employed. He was connected with the Wesleyan Church and Sunday School, and was one of Mr T. Frith’s old boys.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 18th, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

In ever loving memory of our dear son and brother, Lance-Corporal James Horace Hall, who fell in action, October 15th, 1917, aged 22 years.

“He did not stop to reason when first the war began
But went to do his duty like a soldier and a man
There is a wooden cross erected, tells of battles helped to win
And it reads in memory of the deeds that he has done
He is gone, but not forgotten, in many battles he stood the brunt
And now this hero sleeps in a grave on the Western Front
May the heavenly winds blow softly on their sweet and hallowed spot
Such a true and loving son will never be forgot.”

“He is gone but not forgotten.”

From his loving Mother and Father, and Sisters, Gladys, Ivy and little Lucy.

Coalville Times article - Friday February 14th, 1919

PROPOSED MEMORIAL AND THANKSGIVING FUND

Meetings are being held throughout the Ashby Wesleyan Circuit, to consider the inauguration of a war memorial and thanksgiving fund, and there was a gathering for this purpose in the Coalville Wesleyan Chapel on Saturday night, when Mr C. H. March presided over a fairly good attendance.

The details of the scheme are set forth in a circular which is being issued, and of which the following is a copy.

“To celebrate the end of the ‘great war’ and the coming of ‘peace’ the quarterly meeting of the Circuit decided by a unanimous vote to inaugurate a great ‘Memorial and Thanksgiving Fund.’ The nation in the hours of danger has not counted any sacrifice of blood or treasure too great to hasten the time when all that we hold dear should be made secure from an unscrupulous foe. That end has been achieved. The victory is ours. In token of our gratitude to Almighty God, we desire to raise this ‘Memorial and Thanksgiving Fund’ to enable the churches in this Circuit more efficiently to carry on, and extend the Kingdom of God. We suggest that contributions may be given as a thank-offering for loved ones spared, or in memory of dear ones who have laid down their lives for us. There are also large numbers in the Circuit, who, because of the importance of their work, have escaped the horrors of the battlefield, and will be able to give substantially in thankful recognition of their privileges. Everyone, indeed, has received great blessing through the ministry of our church, and the debt we owe to our beloved Methodism is greater than we can tell. Therefore, we earnestly appeal to all our people to give hearty and generous support to the ‘Memorial and Thanksgiving Fund’. The first claim upon the income of the fund will be the clearing of the debt upon the Circuit houses, which amounts to £1,000, thus saving £44 per year in interest. The remainder of the income will be held at the disposal of the Circuit quarterly meeting for the benefit of the work of God in the Circuit. – William Hooper, William H. Wardle, B.A., and William Solomon (ministers), J. P. Adcock, J. P. (treasurer); W. J. Plowright and C. H. March (secretaries).”

During the meeting, Mr T. Frith read the Roll of Honour, which contained 99 names formerly connected with the church and Sunday School. Two have won the D.C.M. – Harry Beard and Edwin Collier – and four the Military Medal, these being Tom Palmer, Tom Wood, George Wildgoose and Walter Lewis.

Twenty had made the supreme sacrifice – Cecil A. Bradshaw, Ernest Batho, Geo. Beale, Sydney Dodds, Walter Fantom, John Hall, Horace Hall, Jess Jones, Wilfred Jones, Fred Hart, Arthur Johnson, Walter Lewis, M.M., Harry Lewis, William Setchell, Sam Smith, Tom Usherwood, Willie Wells, Alf Wood, Albert Essex and Tom Wild.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 17th, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Lance-Corporal James Horace Hall, of the 1st Leicester Regiment, killed in action, October 15th, 1917.

“My dear son is sleeping his last long sleep
In a grave we may never see
But some kind hand in a distant land
May lay down a flower for me.”

“On the Resurrection morning,
Soul and body meet again,
No more sorrow, no more parting
No more pain.”

From his loving Mother, Father and Sisters, Gladys, Ivy and little Lucy.

In loving memory of our dear nephew and cousin, Lance-Corporal James Horace Hall, of the 1st Leicester Regiment, killed in action, October 15th, 1917.

“In prime of years I was cut down
No longer could I stay
Because it was my Saviour’s will
To call me hence away.”

From his loving Aunts and Uncles, and Cousins, Florrie and Edgar.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 15th, 1920

IN MEMORIAM

HALL – In proud and loving memory of our dear nephew and cousin, Lance-Corporal James Horace Hall, Leicestershire Regt. killed in action, October 15th, 1917.

“His days were short in youthful bloom,
By Death he was cut down.
But Jesus rising from His tomb,
Procures a heavenly crown.”

“He rests in shrouds of glory,
Every debt of honour paid.”

From Aunt and Uncle Shilliam; Florrie, Edgar and George.

HALL – Sacred to the memory of our dear son and brother, Lance-Corporal James Horace Hall, killed in action, October 15th, 1917.

“No one knows the parting,
Or what the parting cost;
But God in His good mercy
Has gained him we have lost.”

Ever remembered by his loving Mother, Father and Sisters.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 19/10/2017