According to (Maritime Museum) William Hall is the first black individual to receive the highest award for an individual’s bravery from the British Empire. William Hall was born and raised in Horton. He was the descendant of slaves that came before him. He was born in the year 1827 and he died in the year 1904. According to the (Maritime Museum), He died in his home due to paralysis. His great reputation came from the time he served in the Royal Navy in Liverpool England in the year 1852. Through his service he eventually became Quartermaster, and he retired in 1876. The reason his story becomes relevant today is because of the way in which his body was buried. Although he was of high rank to the royal navy, he was buried in an unmarked grave without receiving any of his military honors. This information was used in the year 1937. (Maritime Museum) mentions that in the year 1937 a campaign was used to make the Canadian Legion recognize and acknowledge the accolades and achievements he made during his service in the military.
Due to this one of the Canadian Legions branches was named after him. His body was also reburied in the burial grounds of the Hantsport Baptist Church. There is also a monument on his grave that serves as a plaque describing his dutiful devotion to service. In 1967 his medals were returned to Canada from England. These medals were shown at expo 67 and after the showing his medals were moved to the Nova Scotia Museum.
Reference
William Hall, VC. (2013, February 14). Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/collections/william-hall-v
Text by Charles Stevenson
