James Basil Hall was the son of marine engineer, James Hall, and his wife, Mary Alice Hall.

Basil attended the High School for just over a year, leaving in December 1896.

Before the war started, he joined the Durham Fortress unit of the Royal Engineers, and in 1912 received his commision as 2nd Lieutenant.

He was later raised to Captain, and then Major.

Basil survived the war, and is believed to have died in Devon in 1956.