HALL, William Phillip (1889-1917).JPG)
W P Hall (War Service)
Born on 25 April 1889 at Geelong, William Phillip Hall was the son of Henry William Hall and Mary nee Dann, of Myers Street, Geelong. He attended the College for four years from 1902. During that time he passed the Junior Public Examination, and was active in Athletics at the school.
Memorila to W P Hall (Hatton)
He took part in pastoral pursuits prior to enlisting (No 3796) on 18 March 1916 during World War I. He embarked for France aboard
HMAT A73 Commonwealth on 19 September 1916, with the 9th Reinforcements to 29 Battalion. He took part in several big engagements, up to the time of his death at Polygon Wood on 26 September 1917.
Pte C B Gilchrist (No 3791) wrote to the Red Cross Information Bureau of his death:
‘As regards Pte Hall 3796, he was a personal friend of mine, he came over in the same reinforcement as I, our numbers are only 5 different. I found out all I could about his death. He was hit by a piece of shell on the side of the neck and throat. The lad that gave me the information was with him at the time and helped to bind the wounds but he said it was a hopeless case. He was dying at the time of dressing. He knows no more about Phil. He was hit on the morning of 26th at Polygon Wood. He is between 5ft 7 and 8, fair complex-ion, fair hair. He came with the 9th Reinforcements of 29th. He comes from the Western District. I might also mention the name of the chap who was with him, his name is Hawkins, he came with Phil. He is in A Company.’ Private Hall is buried at Duhallow Advanced Dressing Station Cemetery, Ypres - Grave VIII.A.25. 2
His cousin,
Lt Harvey Freeman MC (1897-1917) (Old Geelong Collegian), was killed in action on 12 October 1917 while serving with 11th Machine Gun Company near Passchendaele, and is buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele.
Sources: Based on an edited extract from Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck. pp47-48 (citing Pegasus May, 1918; Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Photo Pegasus May 1918); Memorial Image - L Hatton.