Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Edwin Hall, a wheelwright, born 1860 in Swerford, Oxfordshire and baptised on the 3rd June 1860 in St. Mary’s Church, Swerford (son of John Hall, 1823-1885 and Mary Hatten, 1821-1877) and his wife Margaret Ann Hall, (nee Luckett, married on the 2nd May 1887 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire) born in the April quarter of 1865 in Hook Norton, Oxfordshire (daughter of Thomas Luckett, 1827-1896 and Zillah Taylor, 1832-1917). Albert Edwin, a schoolboy was born on the 11th March 1888 in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, he had one sibling, Clementina Zillah Ruby, born on the 22nd August 1890 in Drayton, Oxfordshire and baptised on the 24th September 1890 in St. Mary’s Church, Banbury, Oxfordshire, in April 1891 the family home was at Causeway, Warkworth, Banbury. In March 1901 Albert was employed as a needle maker and was residing at Factory Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire. This being the family home of George Crow, a baker, born in the July quarter of 1853 in Hethe, Oxfordshire and baptised on the 28th August 1853 in SS. Edmund & George Church, Hethe (son of George Crow, 1826 and Mary Bull, 1828), and his daughter, Louisa Elizabeth, a hosiery trade runner on, born on the 27th February 1886 in Banbury, Albert’s mother, Margaret Ann Hall and his sister Clementina Zillah Ruby Hall were also residing in the family home together with, Minnie Frances Hall, born in the January quarter of 1892, George William Hall, born in the October quarter of 1893, Ernest Horace Hall, born in the October quarter of 1894 and Frederick Thomas Crow born on the 15th August 1898, the latter four children were all born in Banbury. In April 1911 Albert was serving as a Private with the 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers and was stationed at Roberts Barracks, Quetta, Baluchistan, India. Albert had served for nine years in the 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers. His younger brother Ernest died on the 5th June 1918 from wounds received in action.
FAMILY NOTE: George Crow married Elizabeth Martha Hedges on the 14th March 1875 in Christ Church, Banbury Oxfordshire, Elizabeth was born in 1848 in Oxfordshire, together they had the following children, Thomas Henry, born on the 13th October 1875 in Banbury, William Walter, born on the 18th February 1878 in Grimsbury, Northamptonshire, Edith Mary, born on the 25th April 1880 in Banbury, George, born in the April quarter of 1882 and Louisa Elizabeth, born on the 27th February 1886, the latter two siblings were both born in Grimsbury. George’s wife died in the July quarter of 1888 in the Oxfordshire district, aged 40.
During the period after George’s wife died, a relationship was formed with Margaret Ann Hall who was married with two children, Albert Edwin and Clementina Zilla Ruby, the following children were born to Margaret, Minnie Frances Hall, born in the January quarter of 1892, George William Hall, born in the October quarter of 1893, Ernest Horace Hall, born in the October quarter of 1894 and Frederick Thomas Crow born on the 15th August 1898, the latter four children were all born in Banbury. All the children were recorded with the surname of Hall except the last born, Frederick who was registered with the surname Crow. No marriage registration can be found for George and Margaret and as such it remains a matter of conjecture as to whether a marriage ever took place, however both Albert Edwin and Ernest Horace enlisted into the Army using the surname of Crow.
Albert enlisted/attested into the Militia on the 17th October 1905 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 9366. He gave his place of birth as Leicester and age as 18 years 6 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as hosiery, presently in the employ of Mr. Davis, Hosiery Manufacturer, Hinckley, Leicestershire. He gave his present address as 8, Ten-foot, Factory Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 17th October 1905 and recorded his apparent age as 18 years 6 months, that he was 5-feet 3¼ inches in height, weighed 115 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 31 and 33½ inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was light brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, small superficial scar three inches below left angle of shoulder blade, small mole on right side of neck, two tattooed dots on back of left forearm. He gave his religion as Wesleyan.
He gave his next of kin as his father, George, mother, Margaret, brother (y) George, Ernest, Fred, sisters, (o) Louise, (y) Ruby, Minnie, 8, Ten-foot, Factory Road, Hinckley.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Discharged on payment of £1-0-0. 19/10/05.
Albert enlisted/attested into the Militia on the 9th November 1905 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 9383. He gave his place of birth as Leicester and age as 18 years 6 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as hosiery, presently in the employ of Mr. Davis, Hosiery Manufacturer, Hinckley, Leicestershire. He gave his present address as 8 Ten-foot, Factory Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire
He confirmed that he had previously with the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire regiment and had purchased his discharge on the 19th October 1905.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 9th November 1905 and recorded his apparent age as 18 years 6 months, that he was 5-feet 3¼ inches in height, weighed 117 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34 inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was light brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, small mole on left side of neck, two tattooed dots on back of left forearm. He gave his religion as Wesleyan.
He gave his next of kin as his father, George, mother, Margaret, brother (y) George, Ernest, Fred, sisters, (o) Louise, (y) Ruby, Minnie, 8, Ten-foot, Factory Road, Hinckley.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Attested. On 9/11/05.
Posted to 3rd Bn. Leicestershire regt. Pte. 9/11/05.
Commenced. 49 days drill training. 9/11/05.
Purchased discharge. 27/3/06.
Albert’s army service enlistment documents do not survive, therefore the currently available information pertaining to his military service has been obtained from the following sources: - 1921 HMSO Publication, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914 - 1919, WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Registers.
Enlisted/Attested in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, date not known.
Joined. At place and date not known.
Posted. To Royal Welsh Fusiliers, date not known.
Allotted the Regimental Service number 9804.
Posted. To 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Pte. Date not known.
Transferred. To 10th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Pte. Date not known.
First entered the theatre of war in France on the 13th August 1914.
Killed in action on the 2nd March 1916.
Body not recovered. Commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.
Awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp & Rose, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In the event of his death, Albert nominated his mother, Margaret Ann as his sole legatee.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 2 Mar-16 – 4.30am. The Brigade attacked the trenches about the BLUFF, which had been taken from the 17th Division on 14th February. Attack successful along the whole front, the Brigade, in addition to recapturing our old trenches, taking a small portion of the enemy’s original front line. A heavy artillery barrage continued for the proceeding 24 hours.
4.30pm. “A” Company moved up to reinforce 2nd SUFFOLK REGIMENT and to assist in digging new trenches.
Casualties 2nd March – Wounded – Captain W. P. GRIFFITHS and Lieutenant H. J. K. LEWIS (both -?- returned to duty immediately) Lieutenant H. A. V. MAYNARD.
Other Ranks Killed –
15131 Private L. Devereux, “A” Company, 15127 Private D. Llewelyn, “A” Company,
23486 Private M. B. Morris, “B” Company, 15316 Private W. H. Davies, “B” Company,
15334 Private G. Hornby, “B” Company, 15243 Private J. P. Jones, “C” Company,
15700 Corporal G. J. Reed, “D” Company, 15680 Private G. Thomas, “D” Company,
16277 Private T. J. Llewelyn, “D” Company, 10636 Private J. Brady, “D” Company,
15715 Private H. Bevan, “D” Company and 9804 Private A. Crowe, “D” Company.
Other Ranks Wounded –
15305 Corporal J. King, “A” Company, 15386 Sergeant R. G. Roberts, “B” Company,
15312 Lance Corporal M. Driscoll, “B” Company, 15603 Lance Corporal F. Brierley, “C” Company,
15455 Private R. Pugh, “C” Company, 23297 Private H. Woodward, “C” Company,
15443 Private R. Williams, “C” Company, 15489, Private T. Jones, “C” Company,
24783 Private J. Jones, “C” Company, 15473 Private J. Jones, “C” Company,
15593 Private M. G. Billingham, “C” Company, 15555 Private McDonald, E. H., “C” Company,
32370 Private J. Nestling, “C” Company, 23157 Private E. Walker, “C” Company,
15552 Private E. Thomas, “C” Company, 16197 Sergeant P. F. Duignan, “D” Company,
16027 Sergeant J. Hall, “D” Company, 15677 Lance Corporal A. W. Flook, “D” Company,
23219 Private H. C. West, “D” Company, 18351 Private D. Brand, “D” Company,
23202 Private E. A. James, “D” Company, 16284 Private H. J. Richards, “D” Company,
16247 Private S. Williams, “D” Company, 23220 Private T. Green, “D” Company,
6621 Private T. Westering, “D” Company, 15668 Private J. Linham, “D” Company,
16442 Private P. C. Daniels, “D” Company, 16031 Private A. C. Webster, “D” Company,
10487 Private E. Jones, “D” Company, 23204 Private A. E. Eckersley, “D” Company,
17314 Corporal W. H. Moore, “D” Company, 23265 Private L. Pearson, “D” Company,
15685 Private G. Laity, “D” Company.
Other Ranks Missing Believed Killed –
17521 Private J. Owen, “D” Company.