Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Henry (Harry) Hall, a boot trade fitter, born 1858 in Crewe, Cheshire (son of Henry Hall) and his wife Emily Edith Gibson Hall (nee Evans, married on the 26th December 1887 in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Chester, Cheshire), born on the 26th November 1868 in Chester (daughter of John Evans, 1817-1898 and Mary Ann Dale, 1829). John Henry was born on the 12th March 1893 in Chester and baptised on the 11th June 1893 in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Chester, his siblings were, Daisy, born on the 25th November 1888 and baptised on the 17th February 1889 in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Chester, Emily Edith, born on the 10th December1890 and baptised on the 3rd May 1891 in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Chester, Thomas, born on the 15th January 1896 and baptised on the 9th February 1896 in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Chester, Harry, born on the 4th April 1898 and baptised on the 24th August 1898 in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Chester and William, born on the 29th March 1901 and baptised on the 25th November 1901 in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Chester, all his siblings were born in Chester, also residing with the family was his widowed maternal grandmother, Mary Ann Gibson, born 1827 in Cheshire, in March 1901 the family home was at 13, Queen Street, St. John’s, Chester. In April 1911 John was employed as a boot trade tacker and was residing in the family home at 5, Station Street, South Wigston, Leicestershire, together with his father, a boot trade labourer, his mother and siblings, Daisy, a boot trade machinist, Emily, a boot trade stockroom worker, Thomas, Harry, a schoolboy, William, a schoolboy, May, a schoolgirl, born on the 7th May 1902 and baptised on the 4th September 1905 in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Chester and Alfred, a schoolboy, born on the 14th January 1906, the latter two siblings were both born in Chester.
John enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 1st September 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 2584. He gave his place of birth as Chester, Cheshire and age as 21 years 5 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as boots.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 1st September 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Chester, Cheshire, declared age as 21 years 150 days, trade or occupation as boots and that he was 5-feet 7½ inches in height. Enlisted at Leicester on the 1st September 1914. Joined on enlistment 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Mr. Henry Hall, 52, Glengate, South Wigston.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 1/9/14.
Posted. To 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 1/9/14.
Embodied service commenced. 1/9/14.
Embarked. With 1/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 2/3/15.
Landed. Le Havre. 3/3/15.
Missing in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Body found by 1st Bn. Scots Guards. 31/10/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 1/9/14 – 1/3/15. 182 days.
France. 2/3/15 – 13/10/15. 226 days.
Total Service. 1 year 43 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
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: 12 Oct-15 - At 9.00 am Battalion marched to SAILLY LABOURSE. Dinners and teas were cooked here. Rations for 134 men issued. At 5.15 pm Battalion marched to VERMELLES where stores were taken up. At 11.00 pm Battalion arrived in trenches.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00 pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50 pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00 pm artillery lifted and Battalion assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lieutenant Colonel R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brigadier General KEMP. All officers of the Battalion either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battalion was relieved by part of the 139th Brigade and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Brigade 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Brigade 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
On Friday, December 3rd, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. Leicestershire and the War. – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Private J. H. HALL, of the 4th Leicester’s, is officially reported killed on October 13th. His home was at Glengate, South Wigston.
In the same edition, under the heading. – LEICESTER TERRITORIALS KILLED OR MISSING. - (A photograph accompanied the article). – Pte. J. HALL, 4th Leicester’s, killed in action on Oct.13th. His home was at Glengate, South Wigston.