Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Hall, a labourer, born 1864 in Syston, Leicestershire and his wife Elizabeth Hall (nee Axon, married on the 9th September 1885 in SS. Peter & Paul’s Church, Syston, Leicestershire), born 1866 in Hartshill, Shropshire. William was born in the 4th quarter of 1886 in Syston and was baptised on the 16th January 1887 in SS. Peter & Paul’s Church, Syston, in April 1891 the family home was at High Street, Syston. In March 1901 William was employed as an errand boy and was residing in the family home at Bath Street, Syston, together with his father, a railway labourer and his mother, also residing with the family was William’s widowed maternal grandfather, Richard Axon, a railway labourer, born 1843 in Shropshire. In April 1911 William was employed as a Midland Railway Company railway porter and was residing in the family home at High Street, Syston, together with his father, a railway labourer and his mother. William married Elizabeth Catherine Wood in St. Luke’s Church, Leicester on the 15th September 1913, the officiant being H. J. Patterson (Curate), the witnesses were Thomas Wood, father and Amy Mary Wood, sister. Elizabeth was born on the 25th November 1888 in Leicester. They had a son, Nathaniel Joseph who was born on the 9th July 1914 in Stapleford.
William enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 3rd September 1914 in London, and was allotted the service number G/909. He gave his place of birth as Syston, Leicestershire and age as 28 years. His marital status was given as married and his trade or calling as labourer.
His medical examination took place in London on the 3rd September 1914 and recorded that he was 5 feet 7 inches in height, weighed 140 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 36 inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was brown, his physical development was described as good. The following distinctive marks were noted, moles on right and left shoulders. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his wife, Elizabeth Catherine Hall of 54, Curzon Street, Humberstone Road, Leicester
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. Depot East Kent Regiment (The Buffs), Canterbury. Pte. 3/9/14.
Posted. To 6th Bn. East Kent Regiment. Pte. 6/9/14.
Wounded in action. In the field. 21/9/15.
Died of wounds. 22/9/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 3/9/14 – 31/5/15. 271 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 1/6/15 – 22/9/15. 114 days.
Total Service. 385 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
William’s surviving service record amounts to a total of twenty pages, of which only six pages relate directly to his military service, and these are in very poor condition with much of the hand written information in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of military service.
William’s widow Elizabeth, was awarded a weekly Army Pension for herself and her son of fifteen shillings to commence on the 10th April 1916.
The War Diary records: 21 Sept-15 – DESPIERRE FARM. Situation quiet. 10.00am Enemy sent a few shells over “B” Company, one of which landed in front of the parapet and another behind the S.F.T. D63 replied and their shells fell in hostile trench facing trench 95. Weather fine and cool, East South East wind.
On Thursday, September 30th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Mr. and Mrs. Hall, of High-street, Syston, have received a letter from Lieut. Druitt stating that their son, Pte. W. HALL, 6th Batt. The Buffs, was severely wounded on Sept. 23rd, and that through shock and loss of blood his condition is precarious. Both his legs were broken through the bursting of a shell. Lieut. Druitt added that surgical assistance was quickly at hand, but unfortunately it was almost certain that one of his legs would have to be amputated. Pte. Hall is married, his wife living at 54, Curzon-street, Leicester.
On Friday October 8th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – SYSTON SOLDIERS WOUNDED. Mr. and Mrs. Hall, of High street, Syston, have received a letter from Lieut. Druitt stating that their son, Pte. W. Hall, 6th Batt. The Buffs, was severely wounded on September 23rd, and that through shock and loss of blood his condition is precarious. Both his legs were broken through the bursting of a shell. Lieut. Druitt added that surgical assistance was quickly at hand, but unfortunately it was almost certain that one of his legs would have to be amputated. Pte. Hall is married, his wife living at 54, Curzon-street, Leicester.
On Thursday, October 14th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – ROLL OF HONOUR. – LOCAL CASUALTIES – Private. WM. HALL (909), The Buffs, (East Kent Regt.), son of Mr. and Mrs. Hall, High-street, Syston, has died from wounds received at the front on September 22nd. He was aged 28 years, and leaves a widow and child, who live in Leicester.
On Friday October 15th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – SYSTON SOLDIER DIES. Pte. William Hall (909), the Buffs (East Kent Regiment), son of Mr. and Mrs. Hall, High street, Syston, has died from wounds received at the front on September 22nd. He was aged 28 years, and leaves a widow and child, who live in Leicester.
On Thursday, October 28th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “FALLEN LEICESTER’S.” – (A photograph accompanied the article). – Pte. W. HALL, East Kent Regt., died of wounds. Parents live in Syston; widow and child in Leicester.