Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Hall, a coal miner, born 1851 in Claybrook, Leics., and his wife Catherine Hall (nee Cliff, married 1886), born 1859 in Whitwick, Leics. Ernest was born in 1888 in Whitwick, Leics., his siblings were, Arthur, a schoolboy, born 1880, Mary E., a schoolgirl, born 1882, Thomas, a schoolboy, born 1884 and Herbert, born 1890, all his siblings were born in Whitwick, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at Talbot Street, Whitwick, Leics. In March 1901 Ernest was employed as a baker’s assistant, and was residing in the family home at Brook’s Lane, Whitwick, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Arthur, a coal miner and horse driver, Mary, a domestic housemaid, Thomas, a coal miner, Herbert, a schoolboy, Isaac, a schoolboy, born 1896 and Emma, a schoolgirl, born 1898, the latter two siblings were both born in Whitwick, Leics. In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a coal miner and was residing in the family home at Talbot Street, Whitwick, Leics., together with his wife Hannah Hall (nee Bennett, married 1908), born 1889 in Shepshed, Leics., and their children, Catherine, born 1909 in Thringstone, Leics., and Winifred, born 1911 in Whitwick, Leics. In the 2nd quarter of 1914, Hannah gave birth to a daughter, Florence E.
On Friday April 16th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “HEAVY LEICESTERSHIRE CASUALTIES.” – MEN WHO FELL AT NEUVE CHAPPELLE. – OFFICIAL LISTS. – The official lists of casualties published during the past week contain the names of numerous representatives of the Leicestershire Regiment, several of whom will be recognised as belonging to Melton Mowbray and district. Reported from the base, 24th March.
KILLED.
Ball (11054), Private A., Barker (10872), Private A., Bates (12314), Private W., Betteridge (9239), Lance Corporal T., Bishop (11078), Private J. H., Bosher (9534), Private H., Bradley (6131), Lance Corporal A., Bradley (11776), Corporal G. J., Branson (9838), Private F., Brooks (12142), Private B., Brown (11185), Private H., Brown (8631), Private S. W., Carter (11125), Private W., Congreve (8282), Private F., Conway (5393), Private A., Cooke (9898), Private E. A., Corby (8485), Private W. H., Cornish (10358), Sergeant J., Cousins (6007), Private C. E., Cox (8829), Lance Corporal F. J., Croucher (8854), Private L., Cunnington (12090), Private H., Davis (9923), Private F., Elson (7096), Lance Corporal F. A., Emery (8269), Private W., Ferguson (9277), Private R. E., Garton (9939), Private E., Green (11801), Private G., Hall (12041), Private E., Hallam (6473), Private O., Hayes (8740), Drummer D., Helsdon (6021), Lance Corporal W., Hicks (10718), Private E., Hinckley (9160), Private L. J., Holt (11718), Private C. H., Holt (12093), Private W., Hopkinson (12383), Private J., Hyde (8199), Private J. W., Lake (9242), Private H., Latham (12468), Private W. S., Lee (11330), Private E. H., Lees (5329), Sergeant E., Littlejohn (8708), Private T., Locks (8961), Private L., McHugh (12700), Private A., Mansfield (9034), Private H., Morgan (8412), Private A., Morre (5661), Private F., Neat (5342), Sergeant J., Needham (6400), Private H. S., Peacock (11043), Private G., Potterton (8959), Private W., Poyser (12070), Private J. G., Randle (6164), Private L., Reynolds (10162), Private J. S., Robinson (8732), Private P., Rowley (9863), Private W., Sanders (9225), Private U., Sheffield (12078), Corporal J. D., Shipsides (6396), Private E., Skelcey (8825), Private R., Soden (11262). Private W. A., Tansley (7898), Lance Corporal W. J., Taylor (12412), Private F. W., Towndrow (5708), Lance Corporal E., Twigg (7466), Sergeant J., Vine (10426), Private W., Ward (10951), Private W. R., Wardle (6399), Private W., Wareham (12045), Private H., Warner (9285), Private A. H., Warner (9864), Private O., Watson (11669), Private J., White (9522), Private A., Woodford (9045), Private A. F.
He had been a collier before the outbreak of war, and also an ex regular and reservist with the 2nd Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. Ernest received a telegram on the 14th August 1914 to report immediately to his Battalion, and subsequently embarked on foreign service. He often wrote to his wife Anna from the front and in February 1915 wrote the following:- “Jack Storer is with me at the front, he used to work for Enoch Briers. I’m alright but I wish it would get a bit warmer. I always said I would be in something big, but I didn’t think it would be like this; still its all in a good cause. I am sorry to say some of my pals have gone under, but I don’t think it will go on for much longer. Tell my little birds that their dad will come home some day. I shall not be sorry when.” Sadly some weeks later whilst engaged in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle during a day of intense shelling and sniper fire he was mortally wounded. Ernest had worked at Whitwick Colliery before the war, and was the first Whitwick soldier to be killed. His younger brother Isaac also fell. The War Diary for the 12th March records. The enemy artillery shelled PORT ARTHUR. On the 12th March at 5.15am the Germans counter attacked and A Coy at D. was called up but this counter attack broke down on the right at 100yards from our trenches. On the left they occupied the trench vacated by the 2nd/2nd GURKHAS and advanced from there direct on the 2nd/3rd GURKHAS. They were received with frontal fire from the GURKHAS and enfiladed by B Coy and one Machine Gun under Capt McINTYRE and few returned to their trench. At 9.00am a white flag was seen in this trench and at 9.30am a Coy of the 1st/4th GURKHAS advanced as there was no further movement by the enemy a party under 2nd Lt McINTYRE under fire from enemy behind white flags rushed to the trench and assisted the GURKHAS in clearing it of the enemy, many of whom were killed or wounded, the remainder surrendering to the 1st HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY further north. Information received at 11.00am the SIRHIND Bde supported by JULLUNDER Bde was going to attack in easterly direction, but no attack took place although troops were formed up behind front line, owing to open nature of ground and lack of cover they suffered somewhat heavily. At 3.37pm received information that GARWHAL Bde would remain in possession of line. At 6.00pm FEROZEPORE Bde came up but by 11.00pm it was decided that attack would not take place. Heavy artillery shelled PORT ARTHUR from 1.00pm to 2.15pm. Battn HQ’s and ½ D Coy moved to D. at 3.00pm. JULLUNDER and FEROZEPORE Bde withdrawn about 11.30pm. The War Diary for the 13th March records. Heavy shelling in neighbourhood of D. and NEUVE CHAPELLE during the morning. Snipers very active. At 12.30pm it was reported by a Gunner observing officer that the enemy were collecting on the line of LAYES river S.5.b to M.36.c. Orders were issued by Bde at 5.15pm for relief of line by SIRHIND Bde (Appendix E). Operational orders issued at 6.30pm (Appendix F). At 5.30pm information was received that appearances were in favour of the enemy attacking. Relief completed at midnight 13th/14th March all quiet and Battn marched to L’EPINETTE via F. Bde HQ’s RUE DES BERCEAUX – QUEEN MARY ROAD – LA COUTURE – ZELOBES and LOCON ROAD arriving at billets at 6.00am 14th March.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday February 26th, 1915

IN A WARM CORNER

WHITWICK SOLDIER GETS THROUGH SAFELY

Mrs E. Hall, of 20, Talbot Street, Whitwick, has received a letter from her husband serving at the front saying he had received her letter and parcel safely. He got it just as he came out of the trenches and it put him all right. He states that Ted Collier is not with him, but there is one in his company he knows well – Jack Storer, who used to work for Mr Enoch Briers. He wishes to be remembered to Potter. The letter continues: “I am all right if I could only keep a bit warmer, but, thank God, the weather is getting a bit better now. I always said I should see something, but I did not think it would be like this. But never mind, we are doing it for a good cause and we are letting them know to it now. I have been in a warm corner, but I got out all right, thank God.”

In a subsequent letter, Hall says how he and his pals in the trenches enjoyed the cake his wife had sent him. “We were just giving the Germans some cake with currants in at the same time. I am sorry to tell you that I have seen a few of my pals go under, but I don’t think it will last much longer.”

In a postscript Hall adds: “Tell my little birds that their dad will come home some day. Shall not be sorry when.”

Coalville Times article - Friday April 2nd, 1915

FELL IN THE NEUVE CHAPELLE BATTLE

Official intimation was received on Tuesday morning, by Mrs Hall, of Talbot Street, Whitwick, that her husband, Pte. Ernest Hall, of the 2nd Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action between March 10th and 13th, which was the period of the battle in which the British gained a great victory at Neuve Chapelle.

The news had been broken to Mrs Hall a few days previously, having been conveyed in letters from comrades of Hall at the front. She is left with three children, aged 9 years, 1 year and a baby in arms. Hall wrote a cheery letter to his wife only a few days before.

The deceased soldier was a son of Mr John Hall, of Thringstone, a popular figure at the Whitwick Imperial football matches. Before leaving Whitwick for the war, he worked at the Whitwick Colliery. He is believed to be the first Whitwick man to be killed in action. A younger brother of his is now in the trenches.

A memorial service will probably be held at Whitwick Church next Sunday week, attended by the members of the local Citizen Corps.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 16th, 1915

“CITIZENS” AT WHITWICK CHURCH

IMPRESSIVE MEMORIAL SERVICE

Whitwick Parish Church was packed to the doors on Sunday morning on the occasion of a memorial service for Pte. E. Hall, the first Whitwick soldier to be killed in the great war, and for the late Mr B. Berry, who had taken such an interest in the Whitwick and Thringstone Citizen Corps. The members of the Coalville Corps about 50 strong, under the Commander Gutteridge, marched from their headquarters and on reaching Whitwick, were joined by the Citizens there and marched to Church headed by the Whitwick Holy Cross and Boy Scouts Bands, Capt. Stevenson being in command. The parade attracted a good deal attention and was witnessed by a large crowd of people. A good number of relatives of the deceased were at the service.

Suitable hymns and psalms were sung and an impressive sermon was delivered by the Vicar (the Rev. T. W. Walters) from the text 1 Cor 15c, 20v, “Now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept.”

All over our country in these days, said the preacher, and indeed, all over this great empire of ours there are scenes such as this morning. The heart of the people has been touched, the whole nation has been stirred, men everywhere are rising up from thoughtlessness and you see everywhere upon their faces the serious looks of manliness, of responsibility, and of understanding. Men are becoming to know what we are engaged in; what the nation is engaged in. But deep as the heart has been touched already, I don’t believe, and I don’t think that anyone in this church this morning believes, that we have been touched quite deeply enough. There must be a deeper stirring of the human mind and the human heart. We must realise in a way that we have never yet done so, the great forces that are against us. We must understand in a way that we have not done yet that the enemy we are fighting against is extremely powerful; splendidly organised, prepared after years of constant and splendid preparation, and we have to face millions of men, trained, drilled and instructed not only in the art of war, but, unfortunately in the feeling of hatred against ourselves. We have to face such a nation as that and I am afraid, almost certain in fact, that we have not yet realised in this country what we are up against.

Proceeding, he suggested that they ought to keep three, or even four lists of the men who were serving their country. First, a list of the men who are fighting, or preparing to fight; secondly a list of men who had tried to join the colours but who for no fault of their own had been rejected – and there were several such in Whitwick; thirdly, a list of the men who had joined the Citizen Corps for home defence; and the fourth list should be of the wives and children and mothers of the men in the danger zone. Oh, what a list that would be. When they thought of all these things and of the seriousness of them, it was enough to stir them to the very depths. They could not see a congregation like that without feeling the stirring force of it and without feeling that they were awakening to the responsibilities they ought to feel as a nation when facing such an enemy as they were facing in these days. They were being stirred as they read of the great battles on the Continent of Europe. In the casualty lists for last Thursday, Friday and Saturday appeared 4,011 names. Over four thousand casualties recorded in three days. In Saturday’s paper they saw that the Leicesters, 75 were dead after one battle. Many of these men they knew; where were they today. Their bodies lay in graves on the battlefield far from their native land. Their wives, their children, their mothers, would never see them again. Their fathers and brothers would never take them by the hand again and give them a welcome home. They had been buried in graves with a crowd of other bodies, but was that the end of them? Was there not something else after that? If they faced such a question as that with a feeling of doubtfulness, then in the words of the lesson, they of all men were the most miserable. If that was the end of everything what would be the use of standing up and fighting for their country? They would be without hope and would indeed be the most miserable of men. When thoughts like that assailed them, let them think of the text, “Now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that sleep.” What did that mean? Simply this: That as Christ rose from the dead so shall all men rise from the dead. There was a time coming when they would all come forth graves, a tremendous army facing their God from their graves, a great army facing God on the great resurrection day. In these days they thought far too much of the seriousness of death. It was hard to part from dear ones and they had come to think of death as a terrible thing. It was a mistake to think of it like that. Death was not the ultimate end of life but only the beginning. That was illustrated to them in the parable of the seed. The death of the seed was not the end of it but was only the beginning of a finer life which sprang from it, and so it was with every one of them. Death simply meant the passing into a higher life and that certainly ought not to be terrible. But as they lived today, so they were moulding their future life, and if they kept the doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ they would become more like Him in the hereafter. They all sympathised very deeply with the mourners that morning, that large congregation of men had come together to express it in that way. They sympathised with the relatives of the brave young soldier whose earthly life had come to an end on the battlefield of France, and also with those who mourned the loss of the chairman of the Citizen Corps of that district. But the time was coming when they would all be reunited, and all the sorrows of partings and misunderstandings, and the difficulties, trials and temptations which they now experienced would be nothing before them but the higher life of that bright, glorious future. They prayed that God in His mercy would look down on the sorrowing ones and bless them and help them to bear the parting and may the relatives of the young soldier be comforted by the knowledge that he died fighting for his country and for them all, that he died in glorious company in the midst of hundreds, thousands, who fell in the same fight. While they sympathised with them, they almost envied them in having a relative so brave, so noble, and so unselfish as to give up his life in that way. May God comfort and bless the mourners and give them all the consolation possible from that religion of theirs – the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ.

At the close of the service, the organist, Mr R. West, played the Dead March, the congregation standing meanwhile, and as they were leaving he played, “O rest in the Lord.”

The flag was flying over the church at half mast, and before the service a muffled peal was rung on the bells.

The Citizen’s marched to the School of Arms in Silver Street, where after a few exercises, the Coalville contingent continued their journey home.

Coalville Times article - Friday August 6th, 1915.

Thringstone Brothers Killed

News has been received of the death of Pte. Isaac Hall, of the 5th Battalion Leicestershire Territorial Regiment who was killed in action on July 23rd by the enemy exploding a mine under a British trench. He was 20 years of age and brother of Pte. Ernest Hall, whose death we reported a few months ago. They are sons of Mr J. Hall, of Thringstone and were formerly engaged as colliers. A photo of Pte. E. Hall has already appeared in our columns and one of Pte. I. Hall, with further details will be published in our next issue.

Coalville Times article - December 15th, 1919

WHITWICK MATRIMONIAL CASE

WAR WIDOW’S UNHAPPY SECOND VENTURE

SEPARATION ORDER GRANTED

At the Coalville Police Court, on Friday, Andrew Smith (23), collier, Whitwick, was summoned for deserting his wife, and also for assaulting her. He pleaded guilty to the assault, and not guilty to the desertion. Mr J. J. Sharp (Coalville) appears for the complainant, who, he said, married the defendant a year last March, her former husband having been killed in the war in France. By the marriage, complainant forfeited his pension.

Complainant said her first husband was killed in 1915, and she was left with three little girls, for whom she went out to work, but her health had been so affected by the defendant’s treatment that she could not work. He left her six weeks’ ago, and she had not received a penny from him since. She and the children were afraid of him. He struck her in the mouth on one occasion, and she had not seen her false teeth since. Defendant earned over £4 a week, and he used to give her 50/- a week to keep house.

Answering defendant, complainant said that odd weeks he had given her £3, but the usual amount was 50/- a week. It was untrue that another man had been to the house. She had backed horses.

The chairman: Backing horses has nothing to do with it.

Defendant made other allegations against his wife, which she strongly denied. Kate Hall, complainant’s little daughter, also gave evidence.

Defendant, on oath, in the witness box, accused his wife of immorality, and keeping a bad house, and said he should not pay her anything while she did that. He earned £3/15/0 a week, and gave his wife £3 a week, in addition to which she received 23/6 a week Government money for the children.

By Mr Sharp: He caught a man in the house, and saw the man pay his wife 2/-, which she said was for a bet on a horse. She said she had put a shilling on a horse at two-to-one and backed a winner.

Sergeant Betts, called by the defendant, said he went to the house to collect some money from the defendant, and saw Smith and another man in the house. Defendant made no complaint as to the presence of the other man in the house, and they appeared to be quite friendly.

For the assault, defendant was fined £3/3/0 or one month.

Replying to the Bench, complainant said she was receiving 23/6 weekly from the Government for the three children. A separation order was made, defendant to pay his wife 35/- per week, 14/6 costs, and an advocate’s fee of £2/2/0.

Defendant: What does it amount to altogether?
The clerk: Do you mean the fines and costs?
Defendant: Yes, apart from what I have got to pay her. I shall pay her nothing.

The total in these two cases was £5/19/6 but it was pointed out that there was another case against the defendant.

This was for an offence under the Poaching Prevention Act to which he pleaded guilty. P.C. Jones said he met the defendant at 12 am last Sunday, with a wild rabbit in his possession, and a dog.

Defendant: Who fetched it off the land?
The clerk: You have pleaded guilty.
Defendant: I might as well own to it.

A fine of 10/6 was imposed. Defendant asked for time to pay, saying they had been on short time. Inspector Dobney said the last five or six days they had not worked a full day at the Whitwick Colliery, owing to a shortage of waggons.

He was ordered to pay 30/- that day, and the balance of £5 within 21 days.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 21st, 1920

THRINGSTONE WAR MEMORIAL

UNVEILED BY COL. BOOTH AT THE PARISH CHURCH

A beautiful stained-glass window has been placed in St. Andrew’s Church, Thringstone, in memory of men from the parish who fell in the war, together with a brass tablet bearing all the names, and the unveiling was performed by Col. T. Booth at a special service last Sunday afternoon, when there was a crowded congregation, which included many relatives of the deceased soldiers.

The service was impressively conducted by the Vicar (the Rev. C. Shrewsbury) and opened with the singing of the hymn, “There is a Land of pure Delight.” Other hymns sung were, “O God our help in ages past,” “The Saints of God,” and “For all the Saints,” also the psalm, “The Lord is my Shepherd.”

The window, which faces the church entrance, depicts St. Alban, the first British martyr to die for the Christian faith, and inscribed, “Christ’s faithful soldier and servant unto his life’s end.”

The tablet by the side of the window bears the inscription, “To the greater glory of God, and in memory of the following who from this parish and congregation have given their lives for their country in the great war 1914 – 1919, this window is dedicated by the congregation and parishioners of St. Andrew’s.”

Here are 27 names, as follows:

1914
Pte. T. Jones, Durham Light Infantry.
1915
Pte. E. Hall, Leicestershire
Corp’l W. E. Moore, R.G.A.
Pte. I. Hall, Leicestershire
1916
Pte. E. Howe, Leicestershire
Sapper E. Robinson, Royal Engineers
Pte. L. Whitmore, Leicestershire
Pte. T. Squires, Leicestershire
Pte. M. Grainger, Leicestershire
1917
Pte. F. B. Bowler, Royal Dublin Fusiliers
Pte. R. Freeman, Leicestershire
Sapper H. Briers, Royal Engineers
A. J. Turner, telegraphist, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Pte. J. Squires, Leicestershire
Pte. L. Haywood, Scottish Rifles
Corp’l W. Sykes, Leicestershire
Pte. T. Bailey, Royal Scots
1918
Corp’l J. Bancroft, Leicestershire
Rfn. G. W. W. Howe, Rifle Brigade
Pte. J. Gee, York and Lancaster
2nd Lieut. T. F. McCarthy, Loyal North Lancashire
Pte. S. R. Dring, Leicestershire
J. T. Fortnam, Able Seaman, Royal Naval Division
L.-Corp’l A. Griffin, Sherwood Foresters
Pte. J. Morley, Suffolk
Pte. H. Freeman, Leicestershire
Pte. H. Lakin, Leicestershire

At the foot appear the words: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Having unveiled the memorial, Col. Booth proceeded to the other end of the church and from the chancel steps addressed the congregation as follows:

“My friends, I have been entrusted with the very solemn, but to me, the very proud duty, of coming here to address you, the members of this congregation on the subject of the memorial, that beautiful brass tablet which I have just had the honour to unveil, and I can assure you all that I am fully alive to the responsibility which that has involved upon me, and I am also very appreciative of the honour which it has imposed upon me. I am sure that as you heard those names read out, you could not fail to have been impressed, as I was, with the fact that these precious lives came from every class and from all ranks. What you may not have realised altogether is the width and scope of their sacrifice. I will try to explain what I mean. Reading out those names, I first find mention of men who went out at the start, in 1914, to help to stem the first wild onslaught of the Germans before we were ready; when everything was unprepared. Think of that. Then we pass on to other names of men who gave their lives in 1915, in those dull days in the trenches, when everything seemed dark, and when we appeared to be hammering our heads against a stone wall. Then I find more names in 1916, men who died in the great Battle of the Somme, which lasted for many weeks, but in which their services were rewarded by the first ray of hope which seemed to come to the nation. Then more names I find in 1917, men who took part in those hammering blows which we may regard as the period during which the war reached its height, when the storm seemed to be at its worst. Then in those terrible days in the early spring of 1918, I find more names, when the nation strained well-nigh to breaking point in her brave endeavour to stave off the last despairing effort of the Germans to overwhelm us on the soil of France. Lastly, and to me the most pathetic of all, are some few names of men who fell just as the dawn was breaking, a few days before the Armistice. Well, I have given a brief account of how those names covered that scope I spoke of at first. What then do we owe these men? I do not know whether you, or I, or anybody can yet appreciate the magnitude of that debt, but certain it is, we can never repay. What are we to do then – what must we do? Well, I think we must see to it that these men are never forgotten; that their names are never forgotten. This beautiful brass tablet and memorial window are the proof we intend to give that they shall not be forgotten. I think we must do more than this; we must see that we explain to the new generation that is coming on – explain to them what this tablet means; show them the names, and as they get older and more able to understand, explain to them what it stands for, what we really owe to these men; that we owe to them the peaceful possession of our houses, the freedom of the countryside to-day, the honour of our women and the safety of our little children. I think that is the duty for us in the future, and they will carry it on long after we are no more. Then, finally, I want to say a word to the members of this congregation who are relatives of the fallen. I know that nothing I can say is any real comfort; nothing that anybody can say is of any real comfort; but it may afford you some consolation to know that we, your fellow countrymen, are determined that the names of those beloved ones are not forgotten, and that brass tablet and window stand for all time as a witness to the noble and unselfish example of those brave souls, and I hope when you leave this church after this beautiful service, that you will feel as I do, and as all this congregation do I am sure, that their sacrifice has not been in vain.”

After the Benediction, the service closed with the singing of the National Anthem.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 09/09/2017