Ash Hall
Letters from the Past
My great-great-uncle John David Hall, two wars, and the letters that passed between his brothers, kept and handed down through the Hall and Low families.
John David Hall, my great-great-uncle, was a volunteer serviceman during wartime. In the past many men were judged by their military enlistment status. The volunteers were admired as the brave who stood for their countries and destroyed the enemy, all for peace and future prosperity.
JDH was born in 1871 in Antrim, north-west of Belfast, on the banks of Lough Neagh. He came out to Queensland from Belfast as a twelve-year-old, in the custody of 26-year-old Thomas Knight. They sailed from Plymouth on 6 June 1883 on the R.M.S. Chyebassa. A little more than six weeks later, on 20 July 1883, they reached Cooktown, finally arriving in Brisbane on 30 July 1883.
Once arrived, young John was placed with his sponsors, Sarah and William Hamilton, his aunt and uncle. Sarah was a sister of John David’s mother, who had remained in Ireland. His father, a journalist, was spending their money on trips to America, and his mother felt John would be better off coming out to Australia.
Young John grew up to work as an engine driver and farmer. At age 30 he volunteered for the Boer War, serving from 1901 to 1903. He set out from Australia on 6 March 1901 on the transport ship SS Templemore.
While deployed in South Africa John served in the Fifth Contingent, designated the ‘Queensland Imperial Bushmen’. The unit comprised 22 officers and 481 men. JDH took his horse Charcoal with him on deployment, even knowing that Charcoal could not return because of quarantine restrictions. He said that if he were to come home alive, Charcoal would be the one to make it happen. And that was how it played out. He kept a lifelong interest in horses and racing.
While in South Africa John met Denys Finch Hatton (portrayed by Robert Redford in the 1985 film Out of Africa). They were said to have become great mates. After being captured and later released, John was repatriated on the St Andrew on 7 May 1902.
Back in Queensland, he soon joined the Freemasons and became a founding member of the Maroochy Lodge, established in 1906.
After the Great War broke out, John David enlisted again. On 28 May 1917 he successfully volunteered as a private (No. 3654) in the 49th Battalion, Army Ordnance Corps of the AIF. Described as a Presbyterian, 5 ft 5 in, 158 lbs, medium complexion, hazel eyes, brown hair, JDH would serve for the next couple of years.
Whilst overseas he went to Belfast to look up his family. One sister was to remark later that she had always felt they would see him again. His service ended in 1919 when he was discharged because of ill health. This was to be his companion until he died in a Brisbane hospital on 24 July 1945. He was cremated and buried the following day.
There is evidence that JDH kept in touch with his family through letters and photographs passed between his brothers Joe and William during the Great War, one before William’s death and one after. The second was a letter of condolence, informing JDH of the death of his older brother while on active service in France in 1915.
These are the remaining letters, which have been kept safe and handed down through generations of the Hall and Low families. They are transcribed as written.
Dear Brother, just a few lines in answer to your welcome letter, also the photo and I thank you, it is the finest one I have seen yet. They are all fine children and I would like to have a chat with them, but I don’t suppose that will ever come off. Just tell them that I do know them, and I know what sort of replies I should get to my gestures, and I also know I would have to answer some very funny questions. I see they are of an age when they like to know a lot about everything. They are just at an age when I like to talk to them, for you hear some wonderful stories from them. Well Johnny, I have a double meaning for saying your letter was welcome. In looking at the paper a few weeks ago, I seen in the list of casualties of the Australian Contingent a Lieutenant G Hall killed in the Dardanelles.
I thought it was you and was waiting every week to get word from Joe telling me about it so you may be sure.
I was glad to see your letter. I put you down as K9 and counted myself H02 but so far were both safe. I am sending you another flag and you will scarcely believe where it came from. We attacked the Germans on the 16th day of June last Mt Hodge and our Brigade were in the thick of it, and of course the Regiment were in front as usual. We took three line of Trenches but loss very heavy in doing so, my company loosing 86 killed and wounded.
They were the cowardice lot I have ever met so far. After they had done all the damage they could muster only to throw arms down and drop on their knees begging “mercy British”.
I heard some of the boys mutter “Lusitania” you bastard. And I know what happened, we took 295 prisoners. I can safely say, and I’ve seen a lot of fighting in my time. That no person ever seen a Britisher on his knees begging for mercy, the same as I have seen, these beggars at heuve-Chappelle [Neuve-Chapelle] the Prussian Guards beat us out of the trenches, and we reformed and recaptured the trenches and found that they had Bayonetted our wounded. They murdered about 300 this way. These same Prussians drop on their knees and beg for mercy. Is it any wonder our fellows muttered Lusitania? The Turk is a gentleman compared to them. After the action was over and we had consolidated the trenches we took. I found a German officer’s knapsack and inside I found a safety razor, this flag and a diary of the war. Another fellow of ours found a photo in it and it was a photo of one of our fellows who was missing for a couple of months. They must have got the flag and the photo in some looting, or off some prisoners. I don’t think I will come through it safely for I have seen that many go under, that I feel it is about my turn. I might come through alright, but whether I do or not, I have made my mark and have sent a few of the Kaiser’s to their last resting place. This war is not like the South African War. There it was strategy; here it is hate. Yet as close to them as you come, and kill, whether by rifle, trench, mortar, hand grenades, or bombs. Kill them any way and anyhow, and the more you kill, the more you will be satisfied. I will stop gumming, though as a soldier can do nothing else. I will have to close. I don’t think I will ever see you again. I don’t think I will ever see Queensland. However, I may change my mind.
Give my love to Chris and the children.
From your Aft Bro
Bill
♦
60 Carlow St, Belfast
9th August 1915
Dear Bro & Sis
I scarcely know what way to break the sad news, I must write. I just received word in an indirect way, to tell me that Bro Billy was killed. I was at work when the word was brought to me by Uncle David. The Lieutenant of his company sent a letter to a woman, together with photographs found on him. He had the photos of this woman, her husband, and little boy on him. Her address was on the back of the photo, and another photo which I believe is of your children, with a Bullock team. We are in a cart and the little lad is standing at the Bullock's head. I will write you a copy of the Lieutenant's letter and you will understand the way in which I received the news.
Copy of the letter.
Dear Madam
I deeply regret to inform you that Corporal Hall of B. CO 2/ R. L. R. died this morning from wounds received in action. I found his address with his letters, so will you kindly break the sad news to his parents. I cannot find their address. Tell them he died more from the shock than from the wound. His end was very quiet. We all deeply deplore his loss being such a nice boy, and a good soldier. We are burying him today in a little cemetery close by.
Yours very sincerely
L. H. Luey, Lieutenant
O. 6. B. CO 2/ R. J. R
That is a full copy and you will understand I believe that is the way they break the news. I have written to the Lieutenant and his chum for confirmation, and to the War Office. It was indeed a shock for us all, but he died doing his little bit for his country, which is the only consolation we have. Of course, I miss him, as he has been stopping with me, and indeed the house was lonely since he left. My wife was deeply attached to him, and he thought a lot of her, and the children. In fact, I have a letter he sent to the eldest wee girl which I would not part with because it brings his true nature out, which was good. We all at home here feel his loss, and everyone that knew him was indeed sorry, and I am sure, although not in touch with him, you will all be sorry to receive this news, which I do feel keenly at having to write.
And now, Jack, as regards your photographs, which I presume you sent him. If you wish to have it, I will send it to you, although I would dearly love to keep it seeing he had it on him. However, if you wish it, say the word and you shall have it. He has a little note on it which says ‘Ypres, July 12th, 1915’. I suppose that was the day he received it. I am sorry you are so far away, for I can hardly do justice in compiling this letter, which I am afraid is a bit mixed up. But you will understand. As soon as I receive the news officially, I will write you again.
Your Affectionate Brother
Joe
The wars brought many families death and sorrow with no hope of reunion.