George Harold Hallam
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George was born in 1899, the only child of William and Mary Jane Hallam. William was in farming from a young age and in 1881 at the age of 18 he was an indoor farm servant living and working on a farm in Long Eaton, Derbyshire. In 1901 when the couple had been married only a few years, they were living with their one-year old son on Wilford Road, Ruddington. William (37, b. Clifton, Notts) was a farm labourer; his wife (39) had been born in Goodrich, Herefordshire. By 1911 William was a foreman on a farm and the family was living in Bradmore, Nottinghamshire; George was still at school. However, in 1917 when their son enlisted in the Army the family was living at Eastwood Farm, Epperstone, Nottinghamshire. At some point after their son's death his parents moved to Lowdham and at the time of their deaths were living at 4 Plough Lane, Lowdham. Mary Jane Hallam died on 26 September 1932 aged 73 and William Hallam on 17 June 1946 age 83. Both are buried in Lowdham (St Mary) churchyard.
Called up for service 15 September 1917 and joined the Sherwood Foresters, TR R Bn. He transferred to 53rd (Y8) Bn DLI, then to 51st (Grad) Bn TR (DLI) with effect from 4 January 1918. He was transferred and posted to 15th Bn (81285) on 5 April 1918. He was on home service 15 September 1917-1 April 1918 then served in France from 2 April 1918-27 April 1918. He embarked at Folkestone on 31 March 1918, disembarking Boulogne 2 April 1918. He was reported missing after action at Kemmel and his death was initially presumed 15-27 April. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. His army service record survives and contains evidence of the length of time it took before his death was confirmed: Letter to Army dated 27 January [1919] from mother, MJ Hallam, of Eastwood Farm, Epperstone: ‘Sir, I forwarded to the office in December [1918] a letter which I had received from the Red Cross. I have not received any information regarding the letter neither has the letter been returned to me although I had received a form stating that all letters or p.c. would be returned to me. I cannot think that the War Office is unable to give me some information about the fate of my boy. It is now ten months since he was reported missing yet I cannot (-) any official news after ten months suspense (-) I am entitled to receive some official news, also the letter returned which I received from the Red Cross. I have applied to the Secretary, War Office Imperial Institute for death certificate but have met with no reply. If you can (-) further information please return the Red Cross letter. MJ Hallam’ Reply to Mrs Hallam from the Colonel in Charge, No 1 Infantry Records, York, 8 February 1919: ‘Madam, In answer to your communication relative to your son No 81285 Private GH Hallam, 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, I beg to state that the letters referred to were forwarded to the War Office for investigation and consideration and will be returned direct to you. I am, Madam your obedient servant, (for Colonel in Charge, No 1 Infantry Records)' Letter dated 13 December 1919 from the Colonel in Charge No 1 Infantry Records, York, to the Chief Constable, Police Headquarters, Stockport: ‘Sir, I am requested by the Secretary, War Office, to obtain if possible a statement from Private Thomasson, Durham Light Infantry, relative to the death of No. 81285 Private GH Hallam, 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. As Private Thomasson is at present demobilized and residing at 8 Bingwood Avenue, Whaley Bridge, Nr Stockport, will you kindly have this matter interrogated and, if he adheres to his former report (copy of which is attached) may a further statement be obtained from him giving his reasons why he concluded that Private Hallam was killed, also to give any further particulars which would help identify Privates Hickman and Fox. Thanking you in anticipation, I am, Sir, Yours faithfully (for Colonel in Charge No 1 Infantry Records)’ Copy of a reply from Pte Thomasson provided by the Cheshire Constabulary and sent on 18 December 1919 to No 1 Infantry Records: ‘Sir, In answer to your letter received 16-9-19, I regret to have to tell you that I was with Private Hallam mentioned in your letter when he was killed along with Pte Hickman and Pte Fox, along with me was Private Keogh who also can give you the statement that he was killed on or about the date you mention at Kemmell. I remain, Your obedient servant, (signed) Pte F Thomasson 81355 [Postscript] (Keogh’s address is the same as mine).’
The 1901 and 1911 Census give his first names as 'Harold George', his army service record uses 'George Harold' and he is 'George' on the family gravestone. George completed a Will dated 12 April 1918 shortly after arriving in France, but there are no details of the content in his service record. However, his mother, Mary Jane Hallam, was his sole legatee. Parents' grave in Lowdham (St Mary) churchyard; inscriptions on kerbstone: ‘In loving memory of Mary Jane Hallam who passed away Sept 26th 1932, aged 73 years. Also her loving son George Hallam, killed in action 1918 aged 18 years. Also William husband of Mary Jane who passed away June 17th 1946 aged 83 years.’ Probate: HALLAM Mary Jane of Plough-lane Lowdham Nottinghamshire (wife of William Hallam) died 26 September 1932 Administration Nottingham 17 January [1933] to the said William Hallam retired farm labourer. Effects £229 8s 9d. Probate: HALLAM William of 4 Plough-lane Lowdham Nottinghamshire died 17 June 1946 Probate Nottingham 3 September [1946] to Fanny Crampton widow. Effects £1097 17s.
