A Collection of Medals to the South Wales Borderers

Three: Private E. Hall, 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers, who died of wounds on 7 April 1916

1914-15 Star (18679 Pte. E. Hall. S. Wales Bord:); British War and Victory Medals (18679 Pte. E. Hall. S. Wales Bord.) nearly extremely fine (3) £80-£120

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the South Wales Borderers.

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Edward Hall was born in Munslow, Shropshire and attested for the South Wales Borderers in Neath, Wales. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War in Gallipoli from 14 June 1915. Following the withdrawal from Gallipoli the 2nd Battalion were stationed in Egypt for two months before making their way to the Western Front where they joined the twenty ninth division under their old Divisional General from Gallipoli, Hunter-Weston. On going into the line on 2 April 1916 they found themselves in the Auchonvillers sector, facing what had once been the village of Beaumont Hamel. It was a sector that was about to be subjected to a carefully prepared and organised raid.

At about 9:00 p.m. on 6 April 1916 the enemy opened up a tremendous bombardment consisting of about 8,000 shells, mainly high-explosive. Great damage was inflicted with Germans entering the front line, capturing men and pushing on down the Bond Street trench. At 10.30 p.m. the bombardment stopped and the battalion could reoccupy the front trench. The damage had been considerable - as one officer wrote, ‘Bay after bay being blown in and killed and wounded being buried under the blown in trenches.’

Casualties had been heavy, with 29 other ranks killed or died of wounds, 18 other ranks missing, and 5 officers and 31 other ranks wounded. Hall was one of those mortally wounded, and he died of wounds the next day on 7 April 1916. He is buried in Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France.

Sold with copied Medal Index Card.