The AIF Project

Arthur Charles HALL

Regimental number2631
Place of birthGranville, New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationStation hand
Address'Glenelg', Nyngan, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation19
Height5' 10.5"
Weight140 lbs
Next of kinFather, Charles Hall, 'Glenelg', Nyngan, New South Wales
Previous military serviceServed in the Senior Cadets for 2 years.
Enlistment date3 April 1916
Place of enlistmentDubbo, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name54th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/71/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on 7 October 1916
Rank from Nominal RollCorporal
Unit from Nominal Roll56th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Victoria Cross


Work near Peronne during 1-2 september 1918.
Recommendation date: 4 September 1918

FateReturned to Australia 8 May 1919
Medals

Victoria Cross

'For most conspicuous bravery, brillant leadership, and devotion to duty during the operations at Peronne on 1st and 2nd September, 1918. During the attack on the 1st September a machine gun post was checking the advance. Single handed he rushed the position, shot four of the occupants, and captured nine others, and two machine guns. Then crossing the objective with a small party, he afforded excellent covering support to the remainder of the company. Continuously in advance of the main party, he located enemy posts of resistance and personally led parties to the assault. In this way he captured many small parties of prisoners and machine guns. On the morning of the 2nd September, during a heavy barrage, he carried to safety a comrade who had been dangerously wounded and was urgently in need of medical attention, and immediately returned to his post. The energy and personal courage of this gallant non-commissioned officer contributed largely to the success of the operations, throughout which he showed utter disregard of danger and inspired confidence in all.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61
Date: 23 May 1919

Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Sydney, 7 October 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 21 November 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 21 December 1916. Reverted to permanent rank of Pte, 22 December 1916. Appointed Acting Corporal, 24 December 1916.

Wounded in action, 30 March 1917 (shrapnel wound, right buttock), and admitted to 9th Casualty Clearing Station; transferred to 12th General Hospital, Rouen, 2 April 1917; to No 2 Convalescent Depot, 9 April 1917; rejoined Bn, 21 April 1917.

Promoted Corporal, 4 October 1917.

Admitted to 1st New Zealand Field Ambulance, 18 January 1918; transferred same day to 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station; to Ambulance Train No 31 and transferred to 14th General Hospital, Wimereux, 20 January 1918; to England, 26 January 1918 (trench fever), and admitted to Temporary Hospital, Exeter, 27 January 1918; discharged on furlough, 14 March 1918, to report to No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 28 March 1918.

Proceeded overseas to France, 22 May 1918; rejoined Bn, 2 June 1918.

Detached to GHQ Raiding School, 16 July 1918; rejoined Bn, 1 August 1918.

Transferred to 56th Bn, 11 November 1918.

Awarded Victoria Cross, 14 December 1918.

On leave to United Kingdom, 29 December 1918 (day unclear on record); rejoined unit from leave, 8 January 1919.

Appointed Temporary Sergeant, 6 March 1919.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Devanha', 8 May 1919; disembarked Sydney, 26 June 1919; discharged, 3 August 1919.

Medals: Victoria Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death1978
Age at death81
Place of burialSt Matthew's Church of England Church Cemetery, West Bogan, New South Wales
SourcesNAA: B2455, HALL Arthur Charles

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