Hall, Frederick William

Frederick William Hall was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, on 21 February 1885. He immigrated to Canada around 1910.

Hall was working as a clerk in Winnipeg, Manitoba, when the war started. He enlisted in the 8th Canadian Infantry Battalion (90th Rifles) at Valcartier Camp, Quebec, on 26 September 1914. He had considerable military experience. In addition to serving in the 106th Winnipeg Light Infantry militia regiment, he had spent over 12 years in the 1st Battalion of the British Army’s Cameronians Regiment. During his time with the regiment, he saw service in India.

A teetotaller, Hall was an active member of the British Army’s Temperance Association while serving with the Cameronians. He was awarded a number of medals by the association, as well as the British Army’s Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

Promoted to company sergeant-major, Hall died saving a wounded comrade during the Second Battle of Ypres, in Belgium. For this act, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross on 24 April 1915. His body was not recovered from the battlefield.

Hall was one of three Victoria Cross recipients from Pine Street in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The other two were Leo Clarke and Robert Shankland. Pine Street has since been renamed Valour Road.

Frederick William Hall is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, in Ypres, Belgium.

Victoria Cross

“On 24th April, 1915, in the neighbourhood of Ypres, when a wounded man who was lying some 15 yards from the trench called for help, Company Serjeant-Major Hall endeavoured to reach him in the face of a very heavy enfilade fire which was being poured in by the enemy. The first attempt failed, and a Non-commissioned Officer and private soldier who were attempting to give assistance were both wounded. Company Serjeant-Major Hall then made a second most gallant attempt, and was in the act of lifting up the wounded man to bring him in when he fell mortally wounded in the head.”

– London Gazette, 23 June 1915, Supplement 29202