CHALLIS, Walter


No.TF/202268, Private, Walter CHALLIS
Aged 26


7th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment)
Died of his Wounds on/since 3rd May 1917


Walter Challis was born in 1891 (1st qtr 1891 Thingoe 4a:749) son of Wslter and Mary Ann CHALLIS (née PEARSON)

1891 census...Aged 3 months, he was at Great Green Cottages, Depden with his father Walter CHALLIS [32] farm labourer; his mother Mary Ann [33] born Wickhambrook; sisters Lizzie [11], Maude [9], Mary Ann [7], Louisa [5] and Alice [3].All except his mother were born in Depden.

1901 census...Aged 10, he was "by the Green", Depden with his parents; sisters Louisa and Charlotte [7]; brothers George [4] and Charles [2]. The new siblings all born in Depden.

1911 census...Aged 20, a farm labourer, he was still at the Green, Depden with his parents and brother George and Charles.

On the pension card his parents were at Depden Green



He enlisted, No.6308 4th/7th Middlesex Regt, on 12th March 1916, in Mill Hill when resident in Ponders End. He gave his age as 25 years 2 months, single, a labourer of 19 Oxford Road, Ponders End. He was 5 feet 3 inches tall, chest 33 to 35 inches, weighing 132 lbs, next of kin, his mother Mary Ann of Depden Green.
He was posted to France on 1st December 1916. Re-numbered on transfer to 1st/7th Battalion. Recorded as wounded and missing on 3rd May 1917.
Army Form 5080 had his parents at Depden Green, and his 6 sisters (all bar Alice were married) and brothers George and Charles..

CWGC records have 68 of the battalion killed that day, only 3 have an identified grave.

The attack began at 0345 hours on the 3 May 1917, attacking the enemy between Bois du Vert and the Cojeul river. The attack failed from the start, the diary complaining that the artillery failed to adequately deal with the enemy Front Line and when the infantry attacked the German line, the enemy were standing shoulder to shoulder repelling the attack with rifle and machine gun fire. Although small companies broke through into the Germans TOOL trench and got so far as their support trench, the Battalion were forced to retire back to their own trench to defend a possible counter-attack.



photo CWGC

Walter Challis is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Faubourg d'Amiens bay 7

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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