No.1086528, Gunner, Bernard Lionel CHALLIS
Aged 27
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Bernard Lionel Challis, born in Ashley cum Silverley on 19th July 1914,(Newmarket Q3-1914 3B:844) son of William and Matilda CHALLIS (née CUTTS). His mother died in 1935 and in the 1939 register his widower father [1-3-1872] an estate labourer, was alone at Gazeley Road, Ashley. Bernard married Olive M. LAMBERT in 1941 (Newmarket Q1-1941 4A:2605). |
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85 Anti Tank regiment had trained for months in winter clothing for an invasion of Norway, then issued with desert clothing, but eventually shipped out to Singapore, just in time to have a few days fighting, before their last stand at Halifax Road and into captivity on the 15th February 1942, the day of the surrender of Singapore to the Japanese forces. Bernard was one of 12 of the 85th Anti Tank Regiment to die that day. |
photo; Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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