Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Norman Hall, born on the 13th of October 1897, grew up in a house on Magill Road, Magill in Adelaide. At the age of 18, he was working as a bottler. He showed keen interest in enlisting in a different job as he enrolled himself in the Army Cadets, but he was rejected for being unfit. Upon enrolling in the war, Norman was 139lbs (63kg), 5’10 and stated he had a fair complexion with brown hair and grey eyes. The usual weight for soldiers was 175-195 pounds (80-88kg), and the height was 68-72 inches (5’6-6’0). Norman fit into the average height, but not so much for weight as he was almost 20kg under usual weight of soldiers. Norman’s brother, Leslie Hall (regimental number: 2039) also served in war.

He enlisted on the 14th of October 1915, given the regimental number 2038, and ranked a private. He was appointed to the 3rd reinforcement 32nd Infantry Battalion. The battalion comprised of the A and B companies, of which Norman was enlisted in the A company, and the Western Australian C and D companies who joined at the end of September 1915. They were trained at a metropolitan racecourse called the ‘Cheltenham camp’. The initial phases of training for private soldiers included physical conditioning drills, instruction in marching, command following, and weapon handling.

The 32nd battalion embarked for war on the 7th of February 1916. They all boarded the HMAT A28 Militiades that took them to Egypt. They then disembarked the ship Transylvania Marseilles on the 26th of June 1916. Once the boat finally arrived in a port in France, they were immediately thrown into their first battle, the battle of Fromelles. This officially started on the 19th of July 1916.

Due to the geographical location of the battle of Fromelles, both the ANZACs and the opposition refrained from digging trenches as the area was prone to heavy amounts of water, so instead they built raised earthworks. Unfortunately, Australian Soldiers were annihilated and overpowered by the strong German army forces.

Around 470 Australian soldiers were captured and made prisoner to the Germans. The number of casualties stooped to over 5,000 Australians. Within the 32nd battalion alone, 718 people sustained casualties. Only fifty-six soldiers remained alive once the battle was officially declared over. The battle of Fromelles was described as ‘the worst 24 hours in Australia’s entire history

During the battle of Fromelles (20th of July 1916), Norman took a GSW whilst in action, most likely from a machine gun. After some time of recovery, he rejoined exactly 4 months later on the 20th of August 1916.

Norman had “failed to roll his blankets” on the field meaning he did not care for his kit, therefore was fined 2 days’ worth of pay on the 1st of June 1917. This is equivalent to twelve shillings.

Norman fell sick and was admitted to hospital 19th of January 1917. 51 days later, on the 10th of March, he was moved into a second hospital. Finally, he was rejoined back from the hospital in France on the 21st of April 1917. In total, he spent 93 days recovering from his illness.

Norman then contracted French fever on the 5th of November 1917 in Portsmouth, England. The date of his release was not documented.

The 26th of September 1917 marked the first day of another major battle the 32nd battalion fought in, Polygon Wood. Polygon Wood was an attack plotted by British general Herbert Plumer held to coincide with the third Battle of Ypres to cover it up. They utilized a tactic called the “Bite and Hold” which turned out effective. The landscape was destroyed by bombs and heavy artillery shells exploding. Soldiers fighting, particularly Norman, would have had a difficult time getting around in the condition the area was in. There were 5,770 Australian casualties as a result of the battle.

Norman was then admitted to hospital again with diarrhoea on the 26th of October 1917. The end of his hospital stay was on the 28th of October 1917.

On the 13th of March 1918, Norman got sick and was admitted to hospital where they later, on the 14th, discovered he had contracted influenza. He was then discharged from the Sutton Veny hospital and rejoined to his Battalion on the 22nd of April 1918.

The 8th of August 1918 marked the third official battle Norman fought induring the German Spring Offensive. Allied forces grouped together and planned their next offensive, the battle of Amiens. This battle was classified the “Beginning Of The End Of The Great War”.

At precisely 4:20 am, 900 Allied guns started firing, as soldiers advanced toward the German lines. Troops that reached the German front lines and stole over 500 guns and 50,000 Germans were made prisoner to them.

By the 11th of August 1918, the battle of Amiens concluded. The battle, planned and executed swiftly and considered successful, started a chain of triumph along the Western Front. This went on to knock out the German army and simultaneously led to the conclusion of World War I.

Norman boarded a ship called the “Warilda” that travelled from England on the 7th of November 1917 to receive more medical treatment because he had pyrexia and was now classified as “medically unfit”.

Norman finally returned to South Australia on the 9th of December 1918. He was awarded the British War medal (instituted by King George V), and a Victory medal. 

Norman eventually got married to his wife, Elsie May Hall. They went on to have 3 children by the names of Merle, Norman, and Allen. 

Noran died at the age of 77 (cause unknown) on the 25th of October 1974. His place of burial was in Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia.

Norman’s son, Allen Raymond Hall, served as a private in World War 2.