Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Charles Mill HALL born 28th December 1885 at Renmark, S.A. Charles was a horse breaker. 

Charles enlisted into the 1st AIF, 9th Light Horse Regiment, 15th Reinforcement on the 7th of January 1916 at 2nd Depot Battalion, Adelaide SA. He was allotted the service number; 2114. He embarked at Adelaide SA “HMAT Anchises” on the 16th day of March 1916, disembarking at Egypt on the 21st day of April 1916.

On the 15th day of April he was taken on strength with the 3rd Light Horse Training Regiment, Tel El Kebir, Egypt and transferred to the newly formed 3rd Light Horse Double Squadron on the 23rd day of June 1916. On the 6th day of July he was taken on strength at Serapeum, Alexandria.

Through to the 27th day of October 1916 the 9th Light Horse Regiment, as part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade were at Bally Bunnion, Dreidar, Nagid, Abudarem, Hasanein, Hodnabit, Mazar, Amara, Bir El Abd, Willegha and Et Maler and their objective was to advance and follow the Turk’s retreat back across the Sinai Desert

On the 2nd day of November the 3rd Light Horse Double Squadron (dismounted Light Horse guarding the Suez) was broken up and Corporal Hall was taken on strength with the 4th Australian Camel Regiment at Abbassia, Cairo. He was absent without leave and out of bounds on the 8th day of December 1916 and was docked 1 days pay.

On the 20th day of December 1916 he became a driver at Abbassia and was transferred to the 18th Company Imperial Camel Corps on the 8th day of February 1917 in Serapeum after the 4th Australian Camel Regiment was disbanded. Corporal Hall was admitted to the 26th Stationary Hospital, Ismailia on the 14th day of April 1917 and rejoined his unit on the 20th day of April.

He marched out to Anzac Mounted Division Head Quarters at Abbassia on the 1st day of July 1917 and rejoined the 3rd Light Horse Brigade on the 1st day of August 1917. On the 26th of August he was taken on strength with the 996th Company Australia Mounted Division, Army Service Corp, Moascar

On the 6th day of September 1917 Corporal Hall was evacuated to rest camp Port Said and rejoined the unit on the 16th day of September. The unit was involved in the Battle of Gazza, capture of Beersheeba, the assault on Sheria, Es Salt and Amman until December 1917. They continued on the front line until Corporal Hall was admitted to the 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance with Malaria on the 29th day of August 1918 and transferred to the 26 Casualty Clearing Station on two days later. From here he transferred to the 47th Stationary Hospital, Gaza and the following day to the 24th Stationary Hospital, Kantara.

On the 3rd day of September he was transferred to the 14th Australian General Hospital, Port Said. He was discharged on the 12th day of October 1918 for leave. He marched into 36th Australian Mounted Divisional Train, Moascar on the 29th of October. When the 36th Company disbanded on the 18th day of May 1919 he joined the 38th Company until he embarked from Kantara “HT Essex” on the 15th day of June 1919 and disembarked at Adelaide on the 22nd day of July 1919.

Charles was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on the 22nd day of September 1919. He served for a Total effective period of 1355 days; consisting Active service in Australia 131 days and Active service overseas 1224 days. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

He married Emma Myrtle ISSAC nee COLLEY in 1937 Broken Hill NSW. Emma was previously married to Alfred Stanley ISAAC who died 23rd April 1934 George's Tank, 23 miles from Broken Hill NSW. Alfred, who could not swim had been camped at George’s tank with a couple of mates when he entered the water for a swim. His body was recovered in 6 feet of water.

They had 4 sons; Bertram, ?, Ivan & Stanley.

Charles worked in the South Mine, Broken Hill NSW and retired in 1950.

Charles believed he had cancer and he took his own life by blowing himself up with sticks of dynamite on the 25th of September 1951.

A coroners Inquest was held into his death by Mr C.K Ward -

Evidence was given that Charles was a heavy spirit drinker and was worried about his failing health and complained of going deaf and blind.

Mr James Gilbert KILROY was a mechanical maintenance foreman at the North mine, said that on September 25 about 7.30 p.m. he heard a loud explosion while he was at home. He went outside and met a man named Casey. Casey pointed to some bushes on the right of the road leading to North mine. He was told a man involved in an explosion was badly mutilated and did no need medical assistance. Mr Kilroy then brought Sgt. W.P Moroney to the scene. Charles’s body was in a mutilated condition with the greater portion of the front of the body torn away. There was a strong smell of gelignite and beside the body he found Sgt Moroney found several detonators, a coil of fuse and a stick of gelignite. Near the road, he also found another stick of gelignite. There was a hole beside Charles, apparently caused by the explosion and a few yards away he found a bottle of wine apparently recently opened.

There was nothing to indicate that any other person had been at the scene of the explosion at the time of Charles’s death and Charles’s right hand was found about 15 yards away from his body.

Charles’s step-son, Mr Ivan Water ISSACS worked at the Zinc Corporation mine and lived at 239 Iodide Street, said he saw Charles between 4.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. on September 24th in Argent Street near the Birdcage Cafe. Charles called out to him and said, "This is the last time you'll be seeing me. I'm going to do away with myself."

Ivan had told him "not to be so silly". Ivan said Charles looked a bit bleary in the eyes but he saw him again the next morning between 11 and 11.45am, walking down Iodide Street.

Charles’s other step-son; Mr Stanley Arthur ISAACS was a Council worker, of 335 Williams Lane, gave evidence as to identifying the body on September 26th.

Stanley also said Charles had been in Hospital for treatment to his eyes and ears and he was to have undergone an operation. He also stated that he had seen Charles a week before his death and he did not seem depressed or worried too much his health.

FINDING OF SUICIDE IN HALL CASE

Charles Mill Hall (63), a former miner, had wilfully caused his own death on September 25th by blowing himself up with gelignite