Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Hall, a journeyman miller, born 1855 in Harlaxton, Lincolnshire and his wife Eleanor Hall (nee Baxter, married on the 23rd May 1880 in St. Wulfram’s Church, Grantham, Lincolnshire), born 1857 in Market Deeping, Lincolnshire. James Henry was born in the 2nd quarter of 1894 in Harby, Leicestershire, his siblings were, George William, born 1889, Gertrude Mary, born 1892 and Thomas, born 1897, all his siblings were born in Harby, in March 1901 the family home was at Stathern Road, Harby. In April 1911 James was absent from the family home at Colston Lane, Harby, residing there was his father, a steam and wind miller, his mother and siblings, Gertrude, a dressmaker and Thomas, a farm day boy.
James also had older siblings, Elizabeth F., born 1881 and Sarah, born 1886, both born in Harby. James married Ellen Lane on the 8th February 1915 in Clifton, Nottinghamshire, Ellen was born on the 23rd July 1894, they had a daughter Rose Ellen, born 23rd June 1915 in Bingham, Nottinghamshire. In the 4th quarter of 1919 James’ widow married William George Mayfield in the Basford, Nottinghamshire district.
James was enrolled into the Army (For men deemed to be enlisted in H.M. Regular Forces for General Service with the Colours or in the Reserve for the period of the War, under the provisions of the Military Service Acts, 1916) on the 24th June 1916 in Ilkeston. He gave his home address as Edwalton, Nottinghamshire, his age as 23 years and 1 month and his trade or calling as cowman and dairyman. He confirmed that he was married. He gave his wife Ellen Hall of Edwalton, Nottinghamshire as his next of kin, on the 11th December 1920 this was changed to Mrs. Mayfield of Edwalton, Nottinghamshire. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 6½ inches in height, weighed 133 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33½ and 36 inches. It was noted that he had slightly flat feet. His record of service began when he enlisted on the 24/6/16. Called up for service on the 3/4/17. Joined No.3 Depot on the 4/4/17. Posted to the 3rd Reserve Cavalry Regiment as a Private, service number 33633 on the 5/4/17. Posted to the 3rd Reserve Cavalry Regiment on the 12/4/17. Transferred to the 5th Reserve Battalion Royal Fusiliers and allotted the service number 59146, being compulsorily transferred he therefore retained Cavalry rates of pay, on the 1/9/17. Embarked to join the 5th Battalion Royal Fusiliers on the 12/10/17. Joined 39th Infantry Brigade Depot and posted to the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers on the 13/10/17. Transferred to the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment, and posted to the 1st Battalion and allotted the service number G/19992 on the 14/10/17. Joined the 1st Battalion Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment, in the field on the 16/10/17. Missing in action, in the field on the 26/10/17. Regarded for official purposes to have died on or since the 26/10/17. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 24/6/16 – 11/10/17, 1 year 110 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 12/10/17 – 26/10/17, 15 days. Total service, 1 year 125 days. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 26 Oct-17 – PILL BOX. J.21.b.5.3. During the morning Officers Commanding “A” and “C” Companies, with their platoon Officers and N.C.O.’s, had reconnoitred their assembly positions and routes to them. These Companies now moved forward from STIRLING CASTLE and began to dig in, in their positions of assembly, at the following times – “C” Company 10.00pm, “A” Company, less - 1 Platoon – at 3.00am on 26th. Orders -?- to the above mentioned platoon of “A” Company, which remained at STIRLING CASTLE, and took no part in the operations. Watches were synchronised at 11.00pm on 25th.
At 4.00am on 26th “B” and “D” Companies moved back from front and support lines – which till then had been held by them – and took up assembly positions in rear, at about J.21.b.8.4 and 8.5., in order to allow the artillery barrage to come down just behind our front line trenches. The Battalion was in positions of assembly by 4.30am, map of dispositions (M.O. 22) appended. Between 4.30 and 5.30am the enemy put down a heavy barrage of shell and Machine Gun fire which caused some casualties. 2nd Lieutenant’s L. A. HARRIS and H. V. D. DYSON of “A” Company were wounded and 2nd Lieutenant P. J. HILL was ordered to join “A” Company. ZERO hour was 5.40am. “D” Company moved forward to the assault closely supported by “B” Company and at the same time “A” Company moved up into the trenches from which “B” and “D” Companies had been withdrawn at 4.00am. About 7.00am news was received that Captain C. W. PRESS Officer Commanding “D” Company had been killed and that the following, were also casualties Lieutenant D. D. SMITH, 2nd Lieutenant A. ROGERS, 2nd Lieutenant S. ORAM. 2nd Lieutenant D. H. LWEIS-BARNED was then ordered to proceed to the original front line to take command of “A” Company and to report the situation. 2nd Lieutenant’s P. J. HILL and H. N. FAYTOR and A. G. BROWN were now wounded. No information was received from the front except that Lieutenant OLIVER, MACHINE GUN CORPS reported that both his Machine Guns which had gone forward with the Battalion had been blown up, but that the leading troops of the Battalion had gained their first objectives and were in touch with the 20th Brigade on the right flank. At 8.00am bodies of troops of the 7th Division retreated across the Battalion front and these were collected as far as possible and with Lieutenant D. H. LEWIS-BARNED were sent to hold a line of posts as near to the original front line as possible. “C” Company were ordered to prolong the line to the MENIN ROAD and stragglers were ordered to be collected and organised to hold the line. It had now become clear that the Officers of the 7th Division had failed as the enemy were still holding a group of pillboxes South of, and abutting on the MENIN ROAD about J.21.d.80.75. An attempt was made by Officer Commanding “C” Company to seize these pillboxes but this attempt failed. 2nd Lieutenant R. D. LOVELACE was killed about this time and message was sent for reinforcement of Officers of the Battalion from the dumped personnel. The line held at this time ran from MENIN ROAD about J.21.d.75.90 to R. SHERRIABEKE about J.22.a.2.6 and was held by parts of “A” and “C” Companies with elements of 8th and 9th DEVONSHIRE REGIMENT, GORDON HIGHLANDERS, KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS, with a small supporting line at Battalion Headquarters J.21.b.5.3. By this time the scattered details of other units had been collected into bodies of men of the same Regiments, assistance being given to this operation by two Officers of the DEVONSHIRE REGIMENT. Reinforcements of 1 Company 2nd KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS arrived and were ordered to prolong the line to the North. About this time 2nd Lieutenant’s R. H. MILES and QUILLEY arrived at Battalion Headquarters in reply to the message for reinforcements and were sent up to the line. 2nd Lieutenant QUILLEY was wounded on his way up there, but 2nd Lieutenant R.H. MILES joined “C” Company and took over Command from Lieutenant H. P. WINN, who had been buried, and who returned to Battalion Headquarters. About 5.15pm information was received that the enemy had already passed the RED building in GHELUVELT and were advancing in large numbers. The S.O.S signal was sent up and our artillery responded, but ceased fire shortly afterwards. The enemy replied with a scattered bombardment after throwing up double red, green, and white lights, but no infantry action took place. About 6.00pm 2 Companies ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS arrived, and took over the line North of MENIN ROAD on the original 7th Division frontage. The Company of 2nd KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS was moved North. “C” Company held the left of the line and the elements of 8 and 9 DEVONSHIRE REGIMENT and “A” Company 1st ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMENT were withdrawn to a support line in the vicinity of the OLD BRITISH LINE to clean rifles, and be ready for counter attack. A refitting post was established at Battalion Headquarters and as many rifles as possible were cleaned, and reissued to men. About this time 2nd Lieutenant’s MARKE and STREATFEILD both arrived as reinforcements, and the latter was sent up to join “C” Company. Details of GORDON HIGHLANDERS rejoined their unit South of MENIN ROAD. The DEVONSHIRE REGIMENT were withdrawn a little later, and the line was finally established – 2 Companies ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS in front line North and South of MENIN ROAD, 2 Companies in support line 250 yards to 300 yards West of front line. The front line was continued North by 1 Company 2nd KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS and 1 Company 1st ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMENT, with elements of 1st ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMENT and Battalion Headquarters in support. (M.O.22B) S.W. 10/1 (M.O.22) was received and guides were accordingly sent to the support Battalion Headquarters. These -?- and conducted to the line the 1st Battalion NORFOLK REGIMENT who relieved Company of 2nd KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS and Company 1st ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMENT in front line, and also support line then held by elements of 1st ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMENT.
The War Diary records: 27 Oct-17 – RIDGE WOOD. On relief Battalion proceeded to BEDFORD HOUSE. The Battalion carried out this attack under extremely unfavourable conditions. The weather had been very bad for the preceding three weeks, and the mud in places was thigh-deep. Rifles and Lewis Guns became choked with mud owing to the men falling down during the advance. The 7th Division on the right flank did not capture and hold the group of pillboxes on the MENIN ROAD, about J.21.d.80.75, and consequently the assaulting Companies of the Battalion were enfiladed by Machine Gun and rifle fire from there. 335 Other Ranks became casualties and the following Officers killed. Captain G. W. PRESS, 2nd Lieutenant R. D. LOVELACE. Wounded, Lieutenant D. D. SMITH, 2nd Lieutenant’s L. A. HARRIS, H. V. D. DYSON, H. N. FAYTOR, E. W. QUILLEY, P. J. HILL, A. G. BROWN, A. ROGERS, S. ORAM. Missing, 2nd Lieutenant H. E. FRY.
Copy of Commanding Officers report on this operation appended (M.O.23).
After resting at BEDFORD HOUSE the Battalion proceeded to RIDGE WOOD CAMP, where Captain R. THORNE rejoined from leave.