Private William Thomas Challis
| Date of Birth | c.1893 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 22 |
| Date of Death | 12 March 1915 |
| Service Number | T/29981 |
| Military Service | Royal Army Service Corps |
| Merton Address | 28 Fountain Road, Mitcham |
| Local Memorial | St. Mark's Church, Mitcham |
Additional Information
William Thomas Challis (listed as T W Challis on local memorial at St. Mark’s church, Mitcham) was born in Mitcham c1893. He was the son of the late George Challis and Frances Jane Challis of 28 Fountain Road, Mitcham. Before the war he served for three years in the Army Service Corps before returning to civilian life ‘as a coachman to a gentleman at Southwell.
Private Challis, who was a reservist, went out to France in August 1915 with the First Expeditionary Force. He was killed on 12th March 1915, age 22, whilst serving as a driver (T/29981) at the 15th Supply Depot, Royal Army Service Corps in the Pas de Calais.
The first his mother knew of his death was when she received a letter from the commander of his unit saying “By now the sad news of the death of your son Thomas by a bomb accident has already been communicated to you by the proper authorities. I write to say that his loss is very greatly deplored by myself as his officer, and by the rest of the unit under my command. He did his duty well at all times and I never had cause to complain.”
He is buried in the Chocques Military Cemetary at the Pas de Calais (Plot I. Row A. Grave 42) and is commemorated on a carved oak memorial to the right of the altar in St. Mark’s church, Mitcham