William Hall is being thrust into the spotlight by Canada Post as we celebrate Black History month. He is being honored with a commemorative stamp as the first Canadian sailor and black man to receive the Victoria Cross, the military honour for bravery during combat in 1859 from the British Royal Navy.
Hall became the first Canadian sailor, the first Nova Scotian, and the first black person to receive the Victoria Cross from the British Royal Navy. On the stamp, Hall is shown against a seascape with the HMS Shannon in the background wearing his Victoria Cross, the Indian Mutiny Medal, the Turkish Crimea Medal, and the Crimea Medal.