BX May 5, 1915

Private William Hall Reported Killed in Action

Private William Hall, of the Second Battalion whose next of kin is given as residing in Leeds, England, is reported as having died of wounds sustained, it is believed in the recent fighting in the Langemarck fighting. Private William Hall who left Brantford with the first company of Dufferin Rifles under Captain Colquhoun resided at 20 Winnett Street, his mother still living in Leigh, England, where he was born. It is thought by his father who lives in this city that some mistake might have been made in the name Leeds and that his son might have been transferred to the Second Battalion after leaving Brantford. There is a possibility that he may have given his mother as his next of kin and in that event, no official notification would be received here.

Private Hall at the time of his enlistment was employed as a binder erector at the Massey-Harris works and went on active service after only three years of military experience with the Dufferin rifles. He was a single man and 23 years of age.

BX May 15, 1915

Private William Hall is Alive and Well

Mrs. Williamson, 20 Winnett St., received good news this morning concerning her brother, Pte. William Hall previously reported to have died of wounds after the Battle of Langemarck.  It came in the form of a military postcard, merely stating that he was alive and well, as the card was dated April 26, four days after the Battle of Langemarck. It is evident that a mistake was made in the original announcement.

BX December 1, 1965

Won Military Medal, William Hall, 74, Dies

A Brantford man whose bravery in the field during the First World War won him the Military Medal, William Hall of 26 Charles Street, died at his home Tuesday.  He was 74.

Born in Leigh, Lancashire, England, he came to Brantford 55 years ago.

He enlisted in August 1914 and served with the 4th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force throughout the war.

Among many other engagements he took part in the second battle of Ypres on April 22, 1915, in which the “Mad Fourth” charged to victory at the base of a hill where 70,000 German troops were massed.

Mr. Hall was employed with Massey-Ferguson for 42 years, retiring in 1951.  He was a member of M-F. Quarter Century Club, a member of the Church of England, and Branch 90 Royal Canadian Legion.

He is survived by his wife, the former Agnes Unsworth; two brothers, John James Hall and Thomas Hall, both of Brantford; two sisters, Mrs. Richard (Alice) Williamson and Mrs. John (Annie) Mooradian, both of Brantford.

Mr. Hall is at the Beckett Funeral Home for service Thursday at 2 p.m.  Interment will be in Farringdon Burial Ground.