Private John Sammiel Hall

Born on 22 March 1895 in Shallow Lake, Ontario - son of John and Margaret Hall, Shallow Lake, Ontario (later Calgary, Alberta) - at the time of his enlistment in 1916: present address in Shallow Lake, Ontario, trade as labourer, single, no current or previous military service, Presbyterian, height of 5 feet 10 inches, chest of 37 inches fully expanded, fair complexion, brown eyes, brown hair.

Joined the 147th Battalion, CEF, in Owen Sound, Ontario, on 24 April 1916 (number 839066) - departed Canada on 13 November 1916 - arrived in England on 21 November 1916 - transferred to the 8th Canadian Reserve Battalion, CEF, in Shoreham, England, on 1 January 1917 - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, in Shorncliffe, England, on 26 June 1917 - joined the 38th Battalion in the field on 3 July 1917 - killed in action on 10 August 1918 - originally buried about one mile east of Rosières (location of his grave subsequently lost) - name inscribed on the Vimy Memorial, France.

(Many, many thanks to Private Hall's grand-nephew, Robert Hall Jardine, for much additional information and for the photo of Pte Hall appearing on this post.)

(Updated with a photo of Pte Hall's inscription on the Vimy Memorial that  I took in August 2012).

(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, "Debt of Honour" register, www.cwgc.org)