Henry George
Challis (1874 – 1948) of Ousden, Depden and
Canada
Henry George Challis was born 23 April 1874 at Ousden, Suffolk and baptised 26 July 1874 at Ousden. He was a son of George Challis, of Little Ousden, labourer, and Sarah formerly Crack.
In 1881 he was with his parents.
So far he has not been found in 1891, 1901 and 1911.
Family information suggested that he emigrated to Canada.
On 17 April 1913 a Henry Challis, aged 37 and a labourer, sailed for Quebec and Montreal on board the Ionian, embarking at London. The preceding passenger in the list was an Oliver Pettit. Although Oliver and Henry’s ages are both a year or two out they look like the brothers of Ernest Albert Pettit and Annie Challis who married in 1889.
Through the internet the Attestation Paper of Henry Challis, regimental number 830435 of the 144th Battalion of the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force was found. His next of kin is given as Susan Challis, sister, of “Minden”, Silverdale Road, Eastbourne. This is her address in her will made 10 May 1915 and confirms that this attestation paper is that of her brother Henry George Challis.
The details in the file are that he signed on 11 December 1915 (1916 is the date of the declaration and 1915 for all other entries) as Harry Challis (a good, firm signature like his mother’s writing). He was living at 829 Ashburn Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was an unmarried farmer, who was born at Ousden, Suffolk, 23 April 1877 (sic. the day and month are correct but not the year). He had not served before in the armed forces. He was 38 years and 9 months old (incorrect, he was 41 years and 9 months), 5ft 2 ins tall, his chest was 35 ins with 2½ ins of expansion, fair complexion, grey eyes and brown hair, and a member of the Church of England. He was considered fit for active service.
His service papers with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces show that he served in Canada from 11 December 1915 to 18 September 1916, in England from 25 September 1916 to 4 May 1917 and in France 4 May 1917 to 15 February 1919. He sailed for Canada 17 February 1919 and was discharged 29 March 1919. In total his service amounted to 3 years and 75 days. On one of the forms his next of kin was stated as Kate Challis. When examined in France 16 January 1919 he needed 18 dental fillings. He also had defective vision in his right eye which was congenital hypermetropia.
His service papers indicate that he died 15 January 1948.
Posted
December 2016