Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. awarded to Private P. E. Hall, 54th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for heroically carrying out his duties as a stretcher bearer at Villers Bretonneux, despite being both gassed and blown up by a Minenwerfer shell, 24-25 April 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (3396 Pte P. E. Hall. 54/Aust: Inf:) lacquered, nearly very fine £600-800

M.M. London Gazette 29 October 1918. The original recommendation states:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This man was a stretcher bearer and although suffering from the effects of gas, during the action at Villers Bretonneaux, France, on 24th and 25th April, 1918, he continuously attended wounded under intense artillery and machine gun fire. He was blown up by a Minenwerfer shell, but refused to leave his work until all wounded had been evacuated. His self-sacrifice, courage and devotion to duty are deserving of the highest praise.’

Percy Edward Hall was born in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia, in 1894. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 18 November 1916, and embarked for France on H.M.A.T. Anchises, 24 January 1917. Hall served with the 54th Australian Infantry Battalion as part of the 14th Australian Brigade, 5th Australian Division in the French theatre of war. He was wounded in action 9 April 1918, before being awarded his M.M. for gallantry in operations on the Somme, in particular during the action of Villers Bretonneaux, 24-25 April 1918. Hall was gassed at least twice during the Great War.

Hall returned to Australia in H.T. Ceramic in January 1919, and was discharged 24 April 1920. He died in December 1953, and is buried in Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney, Australia.