Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery

Awaiting memorialisation at Sandgate Cemetery.

104 years ago today, on the 24th February 1917, Gunner Geoffrey Dennison Hall, 3rd Australian Divisional Ammunition Column (Reg No-18468), surveyor from "Hillside", 24 Tyrrell Street, The Hill, New South Wales, was killed in action, age 21.

Born at Waratah, New South Wales on the 8th August 1895 to Alfred Francis (died 1937, CATHOLIC 2-31. 01.) and Edith Isabella (died 1936, ANGLICAN 1-16. 17.) Hall nee Jones, Geoffrey enlisted January 1916 with the 7th Australian Field Artillery Brigade at Sydney, N.S.W.

Mr Hall is resting at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France. Plot IV Row F Grave 43.

Geoffrey’s name has been inscribed on the Newcastle Collegiate School Roll of Honour, Gardner Memorial, Newcastle Surf Club & Life-Saving Brigade Honour Roll (photos, unveiled on the 14th July 1918, 194 names now inscribed, 24 Fallen) and the Book of Gold.

Geoffrey’s father Alfred Francis Hall died on the 6th November 1937, and was buried at Sandgate Cemetery on the 7th November 1937. His obituary described him as the “father” of Newcastle surveyors, recognised as an authority of engineering and land matters.

Sadly, for over 83 years now, Mr Hall is still resting in an unmarked grave at the cemetery, so to honour the supreme sacrifice of his son Geoffrey, November 2017 I placed a memorial cross adorned with poppies on the gravesite, taken a photo of the memorialised grave and uploaded the photo onto the Northern Cemetery website as a permanent record of his service. CATHOLIC 2-31. 01.


Lest We Forget.

GEOFFREY DENNISON HALL (9.8.1895 – 24.2.1917)
From – Newcastle. His father was Alfred Francis Hall.

At TAS 1 year from Feb. to Dec. 1912. He won the 100 yards senior swimming championship and 100 yards senior handicap. “He was a great swimmer, a good runner and a fair football player. We  often welcomed him at our swimming sports, where he always carried off the Old Boys' Prize" (Armidalian Obituary).

Enlisted at Newcastle 6.1.1916.
Served in the 3rd Division Ammunition Column Australian Field Artillery as a Gunner.
Killed In France aged 21. The Armidalian printed extracts from letters to his parents in Newcastle from men in his Company about the circumstances of his death: "Geoff was killed about 3 Saturday  24th while working at his gun in the trenches. He was buried, on Sunday afternoon, and several Newcastle fellows were at the graveside and a number of his old mates. I (a friend of his) arranged with his mates to set up a cross above his grave. I suggested the matter to the Battery and was overwhelmed with subscriptions, so much that I had to confine it to his own special friends, and in a few  hours had 160 francs Buried France 922 Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery Amentieres.

Obituary: "He was a quiet reserved and ideal lad. He was respected and loved by all. He was a genuine and noble lad, and quite earned the title of a "typical little gentleman. He was always cheerful  and willing, and an excellent example of what a good soldier ought to be. Your son was hit severely in the middle of the back. He was knocked unconscious immediately, and passed away a few minutes afterwards”.