Hall, Charles Cecil

1962 Private Charles Cecil Hall - 12th Battalion & 44th Battalion AIF

Charles Cecil Hall was born on the 17th November 1884 in Davenport Wilmington South Australia to George and Mary Hall. He was one of seven siblings born into the family.

The family came to WA in the late 1890's and set up residence in Fremantle. His father George died on the 17th September 1904

In 1906 they were living at 51 Howard Street Fremantle (later renumbered to 5 Howard). During this time Charlie spent three years in the Fremantle Infantry regiment of the Citizens Military Forces.

In 1907 Charlie married Francetta Elizabeth (Hettie) Cornish and they had a daughter Francetta born in 1908, Cecil in 1910 and William in 1912.

The family were now living at 49 Howard St Fremantle (later renumbered to 7 Howard Street) and Charlie was working as a Lumper on Fremantle wharf. He then found employment at Harris Scarfe where he worked as a clerk.

On the 24th April 1915 Charlie enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was accepted as fit for service, with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 8 inches tall;

Weight - 177lbs;

Chest measurement - 38-41 inches;

Complexion - Fair;

Eyes - Grey,

Hair - Light Brown.

Upon his successful enlistment Charlie was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to the 5th Reinforcements to the 12th Battalion AIF. He trained with this group in WA before departing from Fremantle in April 1915 aboard the transport ship HMAT Hororata.

After arriving in Egypt, Charles was sent to the reinforcement camp but then fell ill with appendicitis. He was sent to the 2nd Australian General Hospital and had a few weeks here before being returned to Australia. He was discharged from the AIF and then found employment with Fremantle Tramways as a clerk. After six months he had fully recovered his health and Charlie then re-enlisted in October 1916.

Charlie left Fremantle on the 29th December 1916 aboard the transport ship HMAT Persic. He had been assigned to the 6th Reinforcements to the 44th Battalion AIF. The ship arrived at Devonport Harbour on the 3rd March 1917, and after disembarking the men were sent to the 11th Training Battalion at Sutton Mandeville Camp. Charlie had been appointed to the rank of Corporal for the voyage but after arriving in England he was reduced to Private.

On the 25th April 1917 Charles was sent to France and went to the 3rd Australian Division Base Depot Camp at Etaples. He spent a few weeks here and was then taken on strength of the 44th Battalion on the 14th May 1917.

The 44th Battalion were then situated at Ploegsteert in Belgium and they were preparing for the upcoming Messines offensive. On the 4th June 1917 the 44th Battalion raided German positions near Ploegsteert Wood and Charlie came through safely. Two days later the Messines action commenced when mines were detonated underneath the German front line. The attacking infantry then swarmed the German positions and successfully captured the front line positions.

The 44th Battalion were not in action on the first day but came into the battle on subsequent days when the German reserve line positions were being attacked. On the 8th June 1917 Charlie was wounded in the legs by shrapnel. He was evacuated for treatment and was sent to the 3rd Canadian General Hospital at Boulogne.

He only spent a few days here before being shipped to England. On arrival in England on the 12th June 1917 Charlie was admitted to Ontario Military Hospital. He would remain here till the 7th August 1917 when he was transferred to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford.

Sad news soon came from home that his wife Francetta had died in Fremantle on the 24th July 1917.

After news came of his wife's death, Charlie petitioned to be sent home. He wrote to the head of the AIF in England.

Sir, In reference to my application for my discharge. Could you tell me sir if anything is being done in the matter. It is a great worry to me Sir, my three little children being left like they are. As I stated in my application, my mother is 64 years of age, and if anything happened to her while I am away, I hardly know what would happen to those motherless children. Would you kindly reply to this note Sir and relieve my mind to some extent. Respectfully Yours. Pte CC Hall 44th Bn

Fortunately, the AIF Commander in England looked into Charlie's case and agreed that he should be returned to Australia when possible.

From September to December 1917, he was in various AIF camps in England regaining his fitness. On the 5th December 1917 he was then sent to No.2 Command Depot Camp at Weymouth to await a ship home. On the 21st December 1917 Charlie boarded the ship Persic and set sail for home, reaching Fremantle on the 4th February 1918.

He was discharged from the AIF on the 19th February 1918.

On reaching home he returned to his mothers at 51 Howard Street as she had been looking after the children.

On the 23rd December 1918 he enlisted again and was assigned to the WA Reinforcements group (91 South St Fremantle-later renumbered to 35 South St) However the war was finished before he could embark overseas and so Charlie was discharged from further service.

Charlie remarried in 1919 to Margaret Rawes and they had Doreen 1919, Robert 1920, Edward 1922, Frederick 1925 and Nellie 1931.

They then moved to the country to take part in the Soldier Settlement Scheme. Charlie was farming at Nuralingup later renamed Forest Grove which is near Margaret River.

Charlie farmed here till the 1930's and the family then returned to Victoria Park. During World War Two Charlie offered his services again and served in Western Command. He had the service number W237663. His service was within Western Australia.

The family were still living in Victoria Park during this time

After World War Two the family moved to Maida Vale and then Rivervale

Charlie died on the 26th November 1970 aged 86. He was buried in Karrakatta Cemetery plot Anglican PC 0445.