Thanks to Gary Mitchell for permission to share his Facebook post here on our blog.
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14th January 2022
Served during The Great War, resting at Sandgate Cemetery, have I been forgotten?
86 years ago today, on the Tuesday afternoon of the 14th January 1936, Sapper William John Hall, 10th Australian Field Company Engineers (Reg No-907), painter (Walsh Island Government Dockyard, Newcastle, N.S.W.) from Awaba Street, Fassifern, New South Wales, father of eight, was laid to rest with a military funeral at Sandgate Cemetery, age 56. METHODIST 2 (PRIMITIVE) 16 NE. 3A.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article142411376 - funeral notice states service.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article142411331 - obituary states military funeral.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166490827 - late Mr. W. Hall.
Born at East Maitland, New South Wales on the 9th July 1879 to Matthew James and Sophia Hall; husband of Sarah Elizabeth Hall nee Davies (married 1900, Waratah, N.S.W., died 1967, sleeping here), William enlisted March 1917 with the Anzac Cyclist Battalion at Newcastle, N.S.W.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133747303 - report of social event.
William suffered no injuries or illness during his service, and returned home July 1919, being discharged on the 4th August 1919.
Mr. Hall’s name has been inscribed on the Waratah Loyal Rose of Australia Lodge-Manchester Unity Roll of Honour (location unknown), Toronto Red Cross Honour Roll (location unknown - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137487420), and the Toronto Soldiers' Memorial (photos, unveiled on the 30th September 1922, 115 names inscribed, 21 Fallen).
Mr Hall’s obituary tells us he was President of the Blackalls Park Trust, the Fassifern Progress Association, Fassifern Parents and Citizens’ Association, a member of the M.U.I.O.O.F., Waratah Branch, a trustee of the Fassifern Park, and secretary to the Toronto Returned Soldiers’ Sub-branch and Toronto Amateur Cycle Club.
Unfortunately, there is no indication on William’s headstone of his service with the 1st A.I.F., so I have placed poppies and a 1914-1918 WAR label at the gravesite in remembrance of his sacrifice for God, King & Country.
Also served in the Boer War.
Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
Lest We Forget.
