Contributed by Ron Inglis, October 2021:
Private Ernest William Hall, 33, lived with his widowed father at 35 Hall Street, Auburn. He had attended Auburn Public School and was a member of the St Philip’s Anglican Church, Auburn. As a fireman, he worked on the Railways.
Hall first enlisted on 29 August 1915, but after 97 days as a Gunner in the Field Artillery he was discharged. He enlisted again on 22 December 1915. He declared his previous discharge and was allowed to enlist again. He embarked on the Ceramic in April 1916, along with fellow Auburn Memorial man Private James Vernon Mathieson.
After several months in training camps on the Salisbury Plain, Hall crossed to France and was taken on strength of the 20th Battalion on 2 October 1916. He was killed in action 44 days later on 15 November 1916, towards the end of the First Battle of the Somme. He was buried in the Warlencourt British Cemetery in northern France. For his gravestone his father chose the inscription: THY WILL BE DONE. His father was granted a pension of £2 per fortnight, as he was dependent on his son.
Ernest Hall is honoured on the following memorials in Australia:
- Auburn War Memorial
- Municipality of Auburn 1914-1919 Honour Roll
- St Philip's Anglican Church Auburn First World War Honour Roll
- Auburn Boys Public School Great War Honour Roll
- Auburn Public School First World War Honour Roll
- Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial Canberra
His decorations:
- British War Medal
- 1914-20 Victory Medal
