CHALLIS, Arthur William


No.4967, Lance Corporal, Arthur William CHALLIS
Aged 24


7th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment
Killed in Action on Monday, 9th April 1917


Arthur William CHALLIS was born in Castle Camps (Linton Q4-1892 3B:477), baptised in Castle Camps on 4th June 1893, son of Frank and Mahala CHALLIS(née MYNOTT).
His father was step-son of Boaz WHITING, a shoemaker in Haverhill and Emma CHALLIS (who was Boaz's 2nd wife). Arthur's mother Mahala was the daughter of Henry (farm labourer) and Mary Anne MYNOTT from Shudy Camps.



1901 census...Aged 8, he was at 17 Clements Lane, Haverhill with his father Frank CHALLIS [43] general labourer, born Haverhill; his mother Mahala [42] jacket finisher, sisters Lily [17] jacket machinist, Nellie [13] jacket finisher and Dorothy [3]; brothers Walter [11] and Frank [10]. All except his father were born in Haverhill.

1911 census...Aged 18, he was assisting in father's business. The family had moved to Calford Green, Kedington. Father was now a marine and store dealer, mother a finisher in factory; sisters Lillie Emma and Mellie Maria had married and left home, Dorothy Annie was still at school. His brothers Walter James and Frank were assisting in their father's business

According to CWGC records, the family later moved to 56 Snape's Yard, Haverhill.


The South West Suffolk Echo of 28th April 1917 reported that:-
"Official intimation has also been received to the effect that Corporal A.W. Challis, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Challis of Snapes Yard, Haverhill, has been killed in action, at the age of 23. He was in the East Surrey Regt. and the Officer Commanding his Company has forwarded the following letter :- "I much regret to have to inform you that your son Corpl. A. W. Challis was killed during an attack on the enemy's trenches on 9th. April last. By his death the Battalion lost one of its best and keenest N.C.O's., and it was due to the splendid example of such men as your son that the attack in question proved so great a success. It may be some consolation to you to know he was never in any pain, as his death was instantaneous, and that he received a proper burial by his comrades in the Company. I can only add on behalf of myself and all members of D Company our very sincere sympathy with you in your great loss".


He enlisted in Linton. The East Surrey war diaries are extensive and transcribed see here


In summary though:- In Arras they used the cellars as shelters and communication lines. On the 8th they moved forward via these cellars and reached their assembly point
At 5:30 am they attacked, being successful everywhere. and by 6:125 learnt from wounded and prisoners that the 3rd German line had been taken and and light casualties. One hold up by machine gun fire was settled by Sgt Cator who silenced them with a Lewis gun (for which he won the Victoria Cross).
The day was ended with the taking of the Brown line except Feuchy Chapel redoubt (which was taken the next morning). Casualties were 2 officers killed, 1 wounded and 1 missing , Other ranks 36 killed, 136 wounded and 4 missing, but they had lost heavily in N.C.Os.

The CWGC figures put the final total killed in the battalion that day as 46, 25 having no known grave and named on the Arras memorial. Arthur and nine comrades were buried together on the ESE outskirts of Arras and later moved to Ste Catherine in the NW of Arras



Arthur found here, with 9 others, identified by crosses on graves


photo: Rodney Gibson



Arthur Challis is buried in Ste Catherine British Cemetery, Arras grave G:8

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


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