Born in 1895 at Romford, son of Joseph (Builders/Bricklayers Labourer) and Henrietta Halls. 1901: At 22 Clifton Road, Hornchurch with his family. 1911: He was without work, living with his family at 44 George Street, Romford. At a later date he moved to Woodford.
His service number indicates that at some stage from 1907 he served with the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion of the Essex Regiment. His medal card suggests an arrival in France on 12th December 1914 and qualification for the 1914/15 star while serving with 1 Essex. This is a curiosity as that Battalion did not serve in Europe until later in the war. In December 1914, 1 Essex were arriving in England from Mauritius, and remained here until departing for the Gallipoli campaign on 21st March 1915.
Early in October 1915, 1 Essex was moved to positions nearer the coast at Suvla Bay, and during 12th October 1915 went into the reserve lines. They went back to the front line on 23th October relieving the Worcestershire Regiment. On 24th October some Turks who were working in front of their trenches were engaged with rifle, rifle grenade and mortar fire.
The records also show this was the day William Halls Died of Wounds, and was buried at sea. This suggests that he was on board a hospital ship when he died, but just when and how he came to be wounded is unknown.
Research by Adrian Lee, local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com
Find my Past.co.uk