John Hall

John Hall

Personal Information
Date of Birth	not known 1883
Place of Birth	Bamburg, Northumberland, England
Death	24 Mar 1941
Place of Death	Perth, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	32 years, 11 months
Description	5'9" (1.75m) tall ; 160lbs 72.575 kg ; fresh complexion ; brown eyes ; dark brown hair
Occupation	Mill hand
Religion	Church of England
Address	No 1 Mill, Jarrahdale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Sister , Mrs. Jennie Thompson
Military Information
Reg Number	5719
Date of Enlistment	8 Mar 1916
Rank	Corporal
Unit/Formation	11th Battalion, 18th Reinforcement / 3rd Brigade, 1st Division
Date of Embarkation	15 Jul 1916 ‒ 1 Sep 1916
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A31 Ajana
Date of Return	16 Apr 1920 ‒ 30 May 1920
Ship Returned On	HMAT A20 Hororata
Fate	Wounded in Action 20 Sep 1917 Menin Road Returned to Australia
Monument	Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford)
Medals	British War Medal Victory Medal

Pre War

Prior to emigrating to Australia John had served 2 years with the Northumberland Fusiliers.

War Service

A month after entering Blackboy Hill camp, John was allocated to the 18th reinforcement draft for the 11th Battalion, and he travelled with them to England aboard HMAT A31 Ajana, disembarking on 1 Sep 1916. On arrival he was posted to the 3rd Training Battalion at Perham Downs. On 8 Oct 1916 he was admitted to the Northern General Hospital with bronchitis, followed by time recuperating in the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital from 16 Nov - 7 Dec 1916, and on his release he spent time building his strength at Weymouth before being transferred from No 7 Camp at Perham Downs to Larkhill to complete his training. John married Katherine McLeod on 23 Dec 1916 in Perham Downs. Katherine was aged 35, 2 years older than John.

On 25 April 1917 he proceeded overseas to France through Folkestone, and finally was taken on strength by the 11th Battalion on 1 May 1917 at Haplincourt south east of Bapaume. The war diary comments that the day was quiet, weather bright and fine and that more than 100 reinforcements had arrived that day - some only partially trained. John was wounded in Action on 20 Sep 1917, (he was one of 5,013 on that day), when they achieved a strong victory in what became known as the Battle of Menin Road. John's neck wound was caused by shrapnel. Evacuated to England aboard the HS Princesse Elisabeth on 23 Sep 1917 and admitted to the County of Middlesex War Hospital at Napsbury. Released to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital on 3 Oct 1917. Released back to duty on 27 Nov 1917, he did not return to France until 7 Feb 1918, rejoining the 11th Battalion on 12 Feb 1918 via Southampton.

Ill, John was hospitalised from 23 May to 12 Jun 1918. On 15 Oct 1918 John was transferred to AIF Admin Headquarters (AQMG) in England. He was promoted temporary Corporal on 23 Dec 1919, and this rank was confirmed on 23 Mar 1920.

In 1919 he asked for discharge to occur in the UK, but with it agreed to, he had second thoughts, and in January 1920 he withdrew the request. In his original statement he mentioned that two of his brothers who had served in the AIF were killed as had one other who had served in the British Army. He, Katherine and a child returned to Australia on the HMAT A20 Hororata, and he was discharged by the 5th Military District on 14 Aug 1920.

Post War

Electoral Roll entries - 1925 - 1941 at 398a Lord street, East Perth, laborer. Katherine continued to live in Lord street after John's death. Katherine (Kate) survives John by 10 years before dying in Mt Lawley on 27 August 1951 aged 72.

External Links

• AIF Project
• RSL Virtual War Memorial