JOHN HENRY HALL 1887–1971

Born: 23rd September 1887 at Westwood, Derbyshire which is in Basford District

Married: 21st June 1917 to Mary Jane Scrimshaw at St Mary’s Church, Radcliffe on Trent

Died: 12th July 1971 at Great Gonerby, Lincolnshire

1891 Census

Age four living with parents George W, 28, a railway signalman who was born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, mother Rosina, 26, and brother William, 1,  who was born in Wakefield, Derbyshire. They were living at 7 West View, Ovenden, Halifax.

1901 Census

Age 13 living at Great Ponton with parents, brothers William and George age 5 months, and sister, Edith age 8.

Military Service before WWI

Attestation: enlisted 17th November, 1909, Nottingham. Previously a territorial with the 8th Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters.

Service Number: 4947

Military Unit: 14th Hussars

Occupation: railway porter

Fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, height 5ft 6ins, weight 127 lbs.

Posted to 20th Hussars 17.11.09 and discharged 20.6.10 having been found medically unfit for further service.

1911 Census

No trace of John but the family was living at High Dyke Cottages, Great Ponton, near Grantham. They had two more children, Rosina, age six, and Albert Noel, age three.  Grace, a grand-daughter age one,  was also living with them.

1912 Railway Employment

The London and North Eastern Railway 1939 Return of Staff Employed lists John Henry Hall entering the Company’s Service on 16th September 1912.

Military Service in WWI

Rank: Gunner

Service Number: 41443

Military Unit: 223rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, 24 Fire Command

Theatre of War: France and Flanders

Enlistment: 3rd August 1914 to Royal Garrison Artillery, 24 Fire Command

Wounded

9.3.18: Reported ‘Wounded’ on War Office daily list no. 5512

Wounded

6.8.18: Reported ‘Wounded’ on War Office daily list no. 5636

The Royal Garrison Artillery No. 24 Coastal Fire Command was based in Liverpool. It is probable that John Hall began his service based in the U.K. and was later transferred to the 223rd Siege Battery which disembarked in France on 2nd December, 1916. John Henry Hall’s wife Mary, a schoolteacher in Radcliffe on Trent was given leave of absence from school in September 1917 when her husband was either posted to France or was returning there after home leave (source: Radcliffe on Trent 1837-1920 (1989) edited by Pamela Priestland). John was later wounded in action twice.  In November 1918 Mary was given time off work when he unexpectedly returned home from hospital (Priestland, 1989). He received a Silver War Badge, No. B72202 issued on 21st January 1919. The Silver War Badge transcription includes details of his service with the Fire Command and the 1918 Absent Voter List notes he was serving with the 223rd Siege Battery.

Medals Awarded: British War and Victory

Military Personnel Address on 1918 Electoral Register

Hogg Lane, Radcliffe on Trent

Other information John Hall married Mary Jane Scrimshaw in Radcliffe on Trent on 21st June 1917. She was a teacher at Radcliffe on Trent school. The marriage register records him as a soldier stationed in Epsom, Surrey.

He was awarded a 20% disablement pension of 8 shillings (40p) per week plus 2 shillings (10p) for his wife for two years from March 1921 to March 1923. His pension ceased after 1923. Address: 24 Burngreave Bank, Pitsmoor, Sheffield.

1921 Census

Address: 291 Petre Street, Sheffield

Employment: railway guard, Great Central Railway

Household: wife Mary Jane, teacher Sheffield Education Committee

1939 Register

Address: 15 Skipton Road, Sheffield

Occupation: London North Eastern Railway goods guard

Household: living with wife Mary Jane born 14.11.1881

The couple later moved to Great Gonerby, Lincolnshire.

Reasons for inclusion on Radcliffe on Trent Roll of Honour

Married a woman from Radcliffe on Trent.

Churchyard of St Sebastian, Great Gonerby, Lincolnshire