Charles Hall – 9 School Terrace

Charles was the youngest of the eight children of John William and Eliza Hall. Three of the children died in infancy so Charles, born in 1895, grew up with 2 elder brothers (John T and William) and 2 elder sisters (Jemima and Ellen). His maternal grandmother, Jemima Birkett, also seems to have lived with the family since she was widowed in the 1880s.

The family had previously lived at 1 Elm Street but had been at 9 School Terrace, where they had a house with 6 rooms, since at least 1901.
Charles’ father, who had been a brazier at an agricultural implement works, died in 1906, so in 1911 Charles was living with his widowed mother, widowed grandmother and his 26 year old brother John who was working as a maltster. Ivy Hall, his 3 year old niece was also staying in the house. Charles was 16 years old and working as a slater’s assistant for a builder.

He must have been quite small but fit as he was recruited into the 15th Bantam Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) in March 1915. He would have trained at Masham, Yorkshire and on Salisbury Plain before going to France in February 1916 where he would have fought in the Battle of the Somme. In December 1916 further medical inspections were given to Bantams and many, including Charles, were transferred to the Labour Corps.

Charles was awarded the British and Victory medals. His brother John served throughout the War in the 3rd Lincs Regiment then the Machine Gun Corps and was wounded at least once.
After the War, Charles married Gertrude May Morris in 1920 and they had one child born in Stamford in 1922.