Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Michael Hall, a shoemaker, born 1st may 1863 in Whetstone, Leicestershire and his wife Rachel Hall (nee Kenney, married on the 29th May 1882 in Whetstone Parish Church), born 13th November 1862 in Whetstone. Samuel Morris Elijah, a schoolboy, was born in the 1st quarter of 1887 in Whetstone, his siblings were, Thomas Mawby, a schoolboy, born 1883, Joseph, a schoolboy, born 21st June 1885, Harry Percy, born 1888 and Sarah Jane Kenney, born 19th October 1890, all his siblings were born in Whetstone, in April 1891 the family home was at Blaby Lane, Whetstone. In march 1901 Samuel was employed as a finisher, and was residing in the family home at Chapel Street, Whetstone, together with his father, a shoemaker, his mother and siblings, Thomas, a shoemaker, Joseph, a shoe finisher, Harry, Sarah, Mahala, born 24th January 1891, Grace Leah, born 1st October 1893, Ivy Ann, born 11th May 1895, Mary Elizabeth, born 1898, Florence Rachel, born 27th December 1898 and Eveline, born 7th March 1900, the latter six siblings were all born in Whetstone. In April 1911 Samuel was employed as a bricklayer’s labourer and was residing in the family home at King Street, Whetstone, together with his father a bricklayer’s labourer, his mother and siblings, Harry, a shoe trade laster, Sarah, a silk winder, Mahala, a hosiery trade worker, Grace, a cotton spinner, Ivy, a millinery trade worker, Mary, a shoe trade machinist, Eveline, a schoolgirl, Michael Wilfred, a schoolboy, born 24th September 1901, Hilda May, a schoolgirl, born 20th December 1902 and Emma, a schoolgirl, born 1904, the latter three siblings were all born in Whetstone. Samuel married Alma Heighton, in the 2nd quarter of 1913 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district. They had a son, George M., born in the 3rd quarter of 1913 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district. In 1939 Samuel’s father, a retired bricklayer’s labourer was residing in the family home at 11, King Street, Whetstone, together with his mother.
Samuel was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 31-Jul-17 – This was ZERO day. The hour for the attack was 3.50 am. The barrage started at 3.50 am and the attack commenced at 4.00 am. The Battalion moved forward in artillery formation and passed on the right BELLEWARDE LAKE to their forming up position under cover of the ridge.
Casualties up to the 29-7-17 (inclusive)
Officers killed 23. Other ranks killed 574. Officers wounded 57. Other ranks wounded 1,862. Reinforcements: 2nd Lieutenant J. F. L. PICTON and 740 Other ranks.