Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Sergeant W. G. Challis, Royal West Kent Regiment, killed in action on the Western Front, 1 September 1916

British War and Victory Medals (S-628 Sjt. W. G. Challis. R.W. Kent R.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, E.VII.R. (319 Pte. W. G. Challis. 4/Rl. W. Kent Regt.) minor official correction to unit; Memorial Plaque (Walter George Challis) in card envelope of issue, with enclosure, generally good very fine or better (4) £100-£140

Walter George Challis was born in Maidstone, Kent, and resided at 15 Bedford Road, Dartford, Kent. He was awarded the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal in 1910, and served during the Great War with the 8th (Service) Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment in the French theatre of war from August 1915 (entitled to 1914-15 Star).

Challis advanced to Sergeant, and was killed in action whilst serving on the Western Front, 1 September 1916. On the latter date the Battalion were serving as part of 72nd Brigade, 24th Division on the Somme: ‘To Citadel Camp (21/8), Ribemont (25/8), Delville Wood (30/8). In C. T. Atkinson’s [Regimental Historian] opinion the move into Delville Wood was perhaps the most trying experience in the Battalion’s service. The last mile in pouring rain, under heavy shell-fire and through deep mud taking 11 hours to complete. Enemy attacked after 5 hour bombardment (31/8) - assault driven off by ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies in front line. To Caterpillar Valley (2/9).’ (British Battalions on the Somme, by R. Westlake refers)

Sergeant Challis is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme.