No.13955, Private, Arthur George HALL
Aged 20
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Arthur George Hall was born in Wicken on 18th June 1895 (baptism records, but 30th June on school admission records), baptised Wicken 13th October 1895,
son of John and Eliza HALL(née SIMPKIN).
1901 census...Aged 5, he was at High Street, Wicken, with his father John HALL [36] farm labourer, born Swaffham Bulbeck; his mother Eliza [37]; sisters Martha A [13], Edith E [12], Kate [1] and May [7 months],and brother Thomas [6]. All, except his father, were born in Wicken. His brothers Frederick [16] and Albert [10] were with their grandparents James and Mary A SIMPKIN, also in High Street, Wicken. Three of his mother's 12 children had died. 1911 census...Aged 15, a farm labourer, he was at High Street, Wicken, with his sister Edith and her husband Urban Robert BAILEY [23] a ditcher, born in Wicken. His parents, brothers Albert [20] and Thomas, and sisters Kate and May were still at 3 High Street, Wicken. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket.
The 8th Suffolks were in the Corbie region, working parties preparing for the great battle to come, the Battle of the Somme. 2 other members of his battalion were killed that day. The Cambridge Independent Press of 16th June 1916 reported :- Wicken Widow's Son Killed Mrs John Hall, widow,of Wicken, has received a letter informing her of the death of her son,Drummer Arthur George Hall, of the Suffolks. The letter, which is from the Adjutant of Drummer Hall's Battalion states:"It is with the utmost regret that I write to inform you that your son, Drummer A.G.Hall, was killed in action yesterday afternoon.He was one of the most cherished of my drummers, and his loss is felt throughout the regiment. He has always been a fine example of a brave and gallant soldier, and has performed his duties as such. He will be laid to rest this afternoon with two of his comrades , and the floral tributes from his comrades in the drums are only a small token of their esteem.Please accept my deepest sympathy in your bereavement and loss". Great sympathy is felt in the village with Mrs Hall,who lost her mother only a month ago.
photo; Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
