William Hall

William Hall (Known as "William Hall VC")

First Black Recipient of the Victoria Cross, First Canadian Sailor Awarded VC

Born 28 April 1827

Horton's Bluff, Canada

Passed Away 25 August 1904 Avonport, Canada

Lifespan 77 years old

1 views

Notice / Correction

"When the bullets were sweeping the breach like hail, there was no choice but to keep loading the gun until the wall fell."

Archival Overview

Nova Scotia naval hero who manned a 24-pounder gun under devastating fire at the Relief of Lucknow in 1857, becoming the first Black person and first Canadian sailor awarded the VC.

Biographical Record

William Hall was born at Horton's Bluff, Nova Scotia, the son of Jacob Hall, an escaped African American slave freed by the Royal Navy during the War of 1812. Enlisting in the Royal Navy in 1852, Hall served in the Crimean War aboard HMS Rodney before joining the crew of HMS Shannon sent to India during the Indian Mutiny of 1857.

On November 16, 1857, during the Relief of Lucknow, Hall volunteered to drag a massive 24-pounder naval gun to within twenty yards of the heavily fortified Shah Najaf mosque. Despite all other crew members being killed or wounded around him, Hall and Lieutenant Thomas Young kept firing through concentrated musket and cannon fire until they breached the fortress walls, winning the Victoria Cross.

Memorial Guestbook & Tributes

0 messages recorded

Leave a Respectful Tribute

Select a sentiment or reaction (optional):

Rest in Peace Forever remembered and cherished Your legacy lives on in all of us With deep gratitude for your life and light

Your Name / Title *

Your Email (Private, for anti-abuse)

Tribute Message *

No tributes recorded yet. Be the first to leave a message in honor of William Hall.

Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Hantsport Baptist Churchyard
Hantsport, Canada

                         GPS: 45.0667, -64.1833                    

View on Memory Atlas

Archival Standards PastLegacies adheres to strict neutral biographical guidelines and legal standards of remembrance. Next-of-kin may request modifications or removal at any time via our expedited process.

Read Governance Policy →