Thomas Hall
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Thomas Hall (junior) was born in 1889 at Newark and was the son of Thomas Hall (senior) a boot repairer and the late Sarah Hall née Butler his first wife of 5 Wilson Street, Newark. His father Thomas (senior) was born in 1860 at Southwell, his mother Sarah Butler was born in 1862 at Morton, she died in 1893 at Newark she was 32 yrs of age, they were married in 1881 at Newark and went on to have the following children, Lizzie b1884, Ellen b1883, Emily b1885, Thomas b1889 and Ada b1890 all were born Newark. Following his mothers death his father re married in 1899 in Newark to Charlotte Harriett Daniels (born 1869 Birmingham, they went on to have a daughter Edith born in 1903 at Newark. In the 1911 census his father is living at 5 Wilson Street, Newark, he is shown as Thomas Hall 51 yrs a boot repairer he is living with his second wife Charlotte 42 yrs and their daughter Edith 8 yrs of age. In the same 1911 census Thomas is found with the 1st battalion Sherwood Foresters in barracks in India he is shown as being single 23 yrs of age and a private soldier. Soldiers effects register shows - Will in favour of Mrs Nellie Briggs - 11/6/15 - £12-12s-5d; 15/8/1919 - War Gratuity - £5
Private 10084 Thomas Hall enlisted in July 1906 at Newark and went to France with the 1st battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) on 4 November 1914. He was either a regular or reservist prior to the outbreak of war. On 14 January 1915, the battalion was holding the front line forward of Estaires, south of the River Lys; The war diarist saw January as 'quiet' although others differed in their opinion - Captain Hodgson wrote home on 7th "I have shifted from my old trench to a new one, and we now have about as exciting a time to get in and out as anybody likes. So far luck has been fairly with us, but I own it's a bit of a strain. It's rather like being a cardboard rabbit at a penny shooting gallery. The Germans are only 120 yards off, but luckily are only fair shots. I lost my C.S.M. coming back last time, shot in the thigh at this place" Three men including Thomas were killed on 14th January. Thomas was removed to the No 26 Field Ambulance (8th Division FA) at Estaires, were he died of his wounds and was buried in Estaires Communal Cemetery and Extension, grave I.F.8
Article published in the Newark Advertiser 3rd December 1915 :- Only son of Mr Thomas & Sarah Hall, Wilson Street, Newark-on-Trent. A pupil at Christ Church School, joined 1st Sherwood Foresters about eight years ago. He served three years in Ireland and was then drafted to India, where he remained five years. His regiment was ordered home at the outbreak of hostilities and in October proceeded to France. Had he lived he would have completed his service in June next. Attached to the machine gun section, in one of his letters to his sister (Mrs Tom Smith, Victoria Street) said: I keep losing my chums one by one, but I keep dodging the pieces of lead. Every time we feel a bit cold, we start off with that good old song “We’ll be happy once again, never mind”. He also mentioned that Pte. Backhouse of Newark, was killed the first night in the trenches. How Pte Hall met his death is told in a letter from Sgt Dady (to his father in Baldertongate). His shoulder was shattered with a bullet and he died of shock a few hours afterwards.
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