New headstone marks grave of First World War hero

The headstone of Pte Stephen Hall has been placed in Brierfield Chapel graveyard. Chris Hawes (war graves), Paul Schofield, Fred Stringer (RBL) and Paul Williams are pictured.

It was provided by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and on Tuesday was placed in the graveyard at the top end of Halifax Road, which used to be around the former Providence Congregational Chapel there.

Private Stephen Hall of the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment had lived in Every Street, Brierfield. He was injured and died in a miliary hospital in Manchester almost three years after he was wounded. He is buried in the Brierfield cemetery in 1918.

There is a headstone in memory of him in Nelson Cemetery, but his body has remained at the one in Brierfield.

Headstone delivered to grave of First World War victim in Brierfield. (S)

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission decided to add another headstone to his actual grave and the organisation’s Mr Chris Hawes came along to install it. He was joined by others including Mr Fred Stringer from the Nelson and District Branch of the Royal British Legion.

Mr Stringer said: “It’s their policy to put headstones on unmarked military graves so it’s looked after and not vandalised.”

An obituary on Pte Hall was in the Nelson Leader in June, 1918, revealing he leaved a widow and three children. And this year it is the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.