Family of Petty Officer William Hall, VC thanks the Royal Canadian Navy for prestigious honour

June 26, 2015

Halifax, N.S. – Descendants of Petty Officer William Hall, VC have issued the following public statement on the announcement of a fourth Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ship being named Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship William Hall:

“As part of the extended family of descendants of Petty Officer William Hall, VC now living all across our nation and beyond, we could not be prouder that this great Canadian hero has been recognized by having a Royal Canadian Navy ship named in his honour.

The story of William Hall’s actions at the Relief of Lucknow, India, during the 1857 Rebellion may not be well-known to many Canadians. However, this honour will certainly bring his incredible story to light – one of extraordinary bravery, perseverance and devotion to duty in the face of nearly unbelievable odds. As only the third Canadian, the first Nova Scotian, and the first black person throughout the British Empire to have received the Victoria Cross, William Hall fully deserves the respect and admiration of all Canadians. His valiant actions, so far from home, and so many years ago, will continue to serve as an inspiration to today’s Canadian Armed Forces members.

We thank the Government of Canada and the Royal Canadian Navy for choosing William Hall to join the other prestigious names of the Harry DeWolf-class Arctic / Offshore Patrol Ships. As members of the William Hall family, we feel privileged to be a small part of today’s event, and we look forward to the day that HMCS William Hall will set sail, proudly bearing the name of a truly great Canadian.”