Walter Hallam (1893–1984)

Sergeant

Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) 4600 & 6124 5th Battalion, C Coy
Lincolnshire Regiment 42543 10th Battalion, B Coy

Photos courtesy Margaret Granger

Walter Hallam

Walter Hallam

Biography [courtesy Margaret Granger (Hallam) & Cyril Granger]
Walter was born 21 November1893, the son of Arthur (a weaver) and Sarah Elizabeth Hallam. He attended Crich School, winning a scholarship to Wirksworth Grammar in 1905 then to teacher training at Sheffield (1912 until 1914). Started teaching at Shirland Primary School, near Alfreton, in Derbyshire.

Enlisting in 1915, he served on the front lines during Operation Michael and the Lys Offensive. He married Sarah Griffiths in 1920.
Started as the Headmaster at Chinley School in 1926.
Started as Headmaster at Buxworth School on Oct. 1st, 1931.
Was Headmaster at Whaley Bridge School from 1945 to retirement in 1954.
During WW2 he gave evening classes in mathematics, including basic navigation, for ATC members.
Died 1984, Wymondham, Norwich. Ashes at Wymondham Abbey

Army Service Record
Nov. 9th, 1915 - He volunteered for war service & enlisted with The Sherwood Foresters, in the Notts & Derbyshire Regiment.
Mar. 11th. 1916 – Promoted to L/Cpl. 6124 5th Reserve Battalion, Notts & Derby .
Jan. 1st, 1917 - Transferred to the 5th Battalion Notts & Derby Regiment at Matlock.
Dec. 31st, 1917 - Bought engagement ring for £6.10s.0p.
Jan 1st, 1918 – Engaged to Sarah Griffiths
Jan 7th, 1918 - He left England for France for the first time.
Mar. 21 to  Apr. 4, 1918 – In action in the front line from the first day, in the 1st German Drive 1918, The Somme Offensive (2nd Battle of the Somme).
Apr. 9 to Apr. 29, 1918 – In action in the front line from the first day during the 2nd German Drive 1918 (The Lys Offensive).
Subsequently Promoted Cpl. on 8 May 1918 & then Sgt. On 11th May 1918.
June 23 to July 26, 1918 – First return to England for training and home leave from July 18 to July 26
July 15 to 17, 1918 – Start of the German collapse during the 5th German Drive 1918 (The Marne Offensive)
July 27, 1918 – Walter returned to France and served there until   Jan 3, 1919 in a series of reserve roles.
Jan 3, 1919 – Returned to England finally.
Jan 4, 1919 – Back at home in Crich.
Jan 9, 1919 – Demobilisation.

Walter Hallam in WW1

Walter's diaries
Walter kept diaries of his time in the services. Use the link to read extracts of his time in the Front Line during 1918.
Read Walter Hallam's diary
Read about the Lyl offensive

Medal Roll Index Card
He was awarded the Victory and British War medals.

Newspaper reports

Derbyshire Courier , 29 December 1917
A feature of the holiday has been the unusually large number of local soldiers who have been fortunate in securing Christmas leave. The list includes Sgt C. Mason, from Ecclesall (Staffs), convalescent home; Private J W Heathcote, A S C (Mechanical Transport), from France; and driver William Coleman, France – the two latter were over together just a year ago – and Sapper Hy V. Smith in the Signalling Service, R.E., who came from France on Monday, after eight months across the Channel. Driver Jas H Dawes, Driver James Bingham, Lance Corporal W Hallam, Cpl Jas Holmes, and Bugler William Hartshorne have also been over on leave. The latter, who is staying with Mr A Buckley, of Park Head, is attached to the Canadian Forces. Along with his parents he emigrated from Park Head, Crich, to the Dominion before the war, and like his brother, Tom, he enlisted in the Canadians during the earlier stages of the war.

Derbyshire Courier , 27 July 1918
Amongst local soldiers over on leave from France during the week is Sgt Walter Hallam, of the Common, Crich. He returned on Wednesday.

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Crich Common

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Arthur Hallam Head 34 Machine minder hosiery Crich
Sarah E Hallam wife 34   Crich
Walter Hallam son 7   Crich

RG13 piece 3231 folio 18 page 27

1911: Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Arthur Hallam Head 44 Frame work knitter Crich
Sarah Elizabeth Hallam wife 44   Crich
Walter Hallam son 17 Pupil teacher Crich
George Mitchell Hallam   9   Crich

RG14PN20983 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED12 SN6

Voters List 1918
Walter Hallam of The Common, Crich is shown as absent on military duty.

1939 Register: Chapel en le Frith
Walter Hallam b. 21 November 1893; Headmaster Council School
Sarah Hallam b. 20 September 1890
one closed record