Name
Joseph Hall
21 Feb 1888
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
10/10/1918
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
64946
Northumberland Fusiliers
12th/13th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ERQUELINNES COMMUNAL CEMETERY
70
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
R.I.P.
UK & Other Memorials
Wheathampstead Village Memorial
Pre War
Joseph was born on 21 Feb 1888 (baptised 25 May 1888) in Wheathampstead to Jesse Hall, a shepherd, and Emily (nee Pateman). On the 1881 Census the Hall family consisted of Parents, Martha Ellen (born 1865, Elizabeth (born 1872), George (born 1875), Florence Ann (born 1877), Alice Emily (born 1878) and living at High Street, Wheathampstead. Frederick’s father Jesse died in 1890.
On the 1891 Census Joseph was living with his widowed mother together with Florence, Alice, Norah (born 1882) William (born 1883) and Joseph at Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead.
Emily Hall (Joseph's mother) married Frederick Bracey on 21 Jul 1894.
On the 1901 Census Emily and Frederick were living at Wheathampstead Hill with May Bracey (born 1887), William Bracey (born 1888), Dorothy Bracey (born 1895), Florence Bracey (born 1896), William Hall (now employed as a gravel digger) and Joseph Hall.
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for Joseph. He enlisted as Private 140121 in the Army Service Corps probably late 1914 or early 1915. He went to France on 11 Oct 1915. At some time he was transferred to 12/13 Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. This was a Battalion which was an amalgamation which took place in Aug 1917 and was a Unit of 21 Division. In 1918 Operation Georgette was launched by the Germans intending to break the Allied lines near Ypres and drive to the coastal ports. During this fighting Joseph was captured, The German prisoner of war records log his capture, unwounded at Kemmel, (near Ypres) on 12 Apr 1918.
His Effects record states death on 10 Oct 1918 (from a type of exhaustion) not 21 Oct as recorded in some records. His grave is located in a cemetery begun by the Germans. His connection to Lewisham is unclear.
Additional Information
Mrs. Cunnington, of Wheathampstead Hill, Wheathampstead, ordered hid headstone inscription: "R.I.P."
War Gratuity of £17 10 and arrears of £39 16s 9d was divided among his family – Mother Emily, Brothers George & William, and sisters Ellen, Dora and Florence Bracey.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
