JOHN WALTER HALLS
Image from the Suffolk Chronicle And Mercury – 1917
Born: 1897, Ipswich.
Baptised: 28th July 1901, at St. John the Baptist Church, Ipswich, with sisters Ellen Emma Halls, Florence Bessie Halls, and brother George Arthur Halls – family home at 11, Parliament Road, Ipswich.
Died: 9th August 1917; age 20; KiA.
Evening Star – Friday, 25th June 1915 – Mr. John Halls, of 26, Coronation Road, Ipswich, has been notified from the War Office that his son, Private John Walter Halls, of the 2nd Platoon, 2nd Suffolk Regiment, was admitted on the 14th June to the Stationery Hospital, St. Omer, suffering from a gunshot wound in the right eye. He was one of the St. John’s Church Lads’ Brigade boys.
Residence: 26, Coronation Road, Ipswich.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich.
Date of Entry Therein: 27th April 1915 – France.
Rank: Corporal; Service Number: 16743
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 7th Battalion.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1915 Star.
Grave Reference:
I.K.15.
Monchy-le-Preux,
Pas de Calais,
France.
Relatives Notified & Address: Eldest son of John Walter & Harriett Halls, of 26, Coronation Road, Ipswich, St. John’s, Ipswich.
Brother to GEORGE ARTHUR HALLS.
CENSUS
1901 11, Parliament Road, Ipswich.
John was 3 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
John Walter Halls, 26, a Stoker Stationary Engine, born Ipswich.
Harriett Halls (nee Woods), 24, born Ipswich.
Florence Bessie Halls, 4, born Ipswich.
Harriett Elizabeth Halls, 2, born Ipswich.
George Arthur Halls, 1, born Ipswich.
1911 26, Coronation Road, Ipswich.
John was 13 years old, an Errand Boy – Flour Mill. He was living with his parents & siblings.
John, 36, a Steam Barge Driver – Chemical.
Harriett, 34.
Florence, 14, a day Girl – Domestic.
Harriett, 12.
George, 11.
Helen Emma Halls, 10, born Ipswich.
Charles Edward Alfred Halls, 8, born Ipswich.
Elsie Bertha Halls, 6, born Ipswich.
Violet May Halls, 1, born Ipswich.
Daniel Sylvester Halls, 3 months, born Ipswich.
John was a member of St. John’s Church Lads’ Brigade.
Soldiers’ Effects to John W. Halls – father.
John is also remembered on the war memorial at St. John the Baptist Church, Ipswich
9th August 1917 The 7th Battalion the Suffolk Regiment
Throughout the summer months, the 7th Battalion remained in the Arras sector following the April action (Battle of Arras). The remnants were organised into two weak companies and used in the Monchy sector in raiding activity. On the 9th August, as soon as it was light, the artillery began to bombard a belt of enemy trenches 2000 yards long and 300 yards deep, the bombardment being continued throughout the hours of daylight. While this was in progress, the front line was very thinly held, the bulk of the battalion being in caves in its headquarters line. During the evacuation of the front line, Captain L.A.G. Bowen, MC and 2nd Lieut. A. Green were gassed with phosgene shells. At 19:45, the strong patrols and raiders began moving forward under a creeping barrage, the 7th Battalion heading towards Bois du Vert and the Mound. Within a short time, prisoners began to trickle in. As soon as the German first line had been reached, a box barrage was put down and his second line raided. The operation was a marked success, and though the casualties were heavy, valuable information was obtained and great damage inflicted. The Battalion brought back sixty-nine prisoners and two machine guns. Captain Morbey was killed on his parapet after the raid was over by fire from a German aeroplane.
Extracts from The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-27 Lieut. Colonel C.C.R.Murphy
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