Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

WILLIAM CHARLES CHALLIS (1895 – 1966) By Wendy Duncan

William Charles Challis, was born, Eric Christopher Charles Challis to William Challis and Jean (nee McInnes), in Gisborne, New Zealand, on November 9, 1895 (1).

William’s father was born in London, England in 1869 (2).

His mother was born in Kilsyth, Stirling, Scotland, on 2 June, 1873 (3).

William and Jean were married in Gisborne, New Zealand in 1895 (4).

It appears William’s childhood was a very nomadic one with his parents moving from place to place to work at various hotels around New Zealand including the Dunsandel (5) in the Canterbury area, the Bower Hotel (6) in the Christchurch area and the Turanganui Hotel (7), Gisborne.

It is unclear when he changed his name from Eric to William.

Immigration and shipping records indicate a young Eric/William Challis from Gisborne may have worked as a steward and cook on various ships sailing around New Zealand and Australia between the years 1913 and 1917 (8).

After the death of her husband in 1917, Jean Challis moved to Australia. It appears William may have previously settled in Australia by this time, or joined his mother.

In Newcastle, NSW, Australia, on November 29, 1917, William Challis enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force to serve in World War 1. His application papers state that he was single and his occupation at the time was “crane employee”. He is described as being 5ft 7½ inches, 144 pounds, blue eyes, brown hair and fair complexion. He lists his address as Little Young Street, Carrington. Initially his mother, Jean Challis, is listed as his next of kin. This is later changed to “Emma Challis” whom he married on June 18, 1918 (9), which appears to be the day before he leaves for overseas service. The marriage record indicates that William’s usual place of residence is “The Camp, Liverpool”.

Prior to embarking for England it appears William was stationed at the Victoria Barracks, which were located between Oxford Street and Moore Park Road in Paddington, Sydney.

The Australian WW1 service records indicate that Private #51087, William Charles Challis, served overseas from June 19, 1918, to March 12, 1920. His military records indicate he was stationed in Sutton Veny, England, where many of the military units from the Australia Imperial Forces were housed. It was also the site of a military hospital. Prisoners of war were also housed at Sutton Veny (12).

In late 1918 and 1919 the Spanish influenza was particularly virulent. On October 12, 1918, William’s service records indicate had “influenza”.

In 1919 staff from the 1st Australian General Hospital were transferred to Sutton Veny from France. Many patients were suffering from the Spanish flu.

William did not return to Australia until March 1920 when he disembarked the “Friedrichsruhe” from England in Sydney.

William Challis was discharged from service on April 4, 1920, following which time he was reunited with his wife, Emma Challis. The couple had three children; however, in 1924 one, a son named Christopher Challis, died in infancy (10). He is buried in the Sandgate Cemetery in Newcastle, NSW.

William worked as a publican/barman in the Newcastle/Hunter Valley area till the late 1930’s (11).

It appears that William and Emma Challis separated after 1937.

By 1939 William had moved to the Sydney area and was father another son, William Charles Challis, Jr., with his partner, Gertrude Eualia Clifford.

The 1943 Australian Electoral Rolls list William and Gertrude Challis as living in Camperdown, West Sydney. His occupation is listed as “storeman”.

Emma Challis officially divorced William in August of 1947.

On April 20, 1948, William and Gertrude married at the Registrar’s Office in Sydney.

William Challis passed away on September 9, 1966. His ashes are interred at the Eastern Suburbs Crematorium, where the plaque reads, “FONDLY MISSED E. C. (BILL) CHALLIS, BORN 9TH NOVEMBER 1895, DIED 9TH SEPTEMBER, 1966”.

William’s war records indicate he was awarded the 1914/1915 Star, British War Medal #84149 and the Victory Medal. Also, records at The National Archive in UK have a record of him being awarded the Mercantile Marine Medal.

The name “Challis” appears on the Newcastle Memorial Walk, Newcastle, N.S.W., Australia, which includes the names of Hunter Valley Men who enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force.

William’s name is also listed on the Honour Roll at the Connolly Park War Memorial Gates, Cowper & Fitzroy Streets, Connolly Park, Carrington, N.S.W., Australia.

SOURCES

1. New Zealand, Birth Index, 1840 – 1950, Folio #3493.
2. London, England, Church of England Births & Baptisms, 1813 – 1923, London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; London Parish Register; Reference #P69/GIS/A/01/MS6423/5
3. Scotland, Select Births & Baptisms, 1564 – 1950.
4. New Zealand, Marriage Index, 1840 – 1937, Folio #1013.
5. Paper Past, 12 May, 1906.
6. Papers Past, 1906.
7. Papers Past, 1899 – 1901.
8. New South Wales, Australia, Unassisted Immigrant Passenger Lists, 1826 – 1922.
9. Sydney, Australia, Anglican Parish Registers, 1814 – 2011. Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Baptism, Burial, Confirmation, Marriage and composite registers in the Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney Archives.
10. Australia, Death Index, 1787 – 1985, Registration #14400.
11. Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903 – 1980.
12. https://anzac-22nd-battalion.com/training-camps-england/
https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/plac