Birth: 3 November 1884 Battersea, Surrey, UK
Father: Frederick Challis 1841-1919
Mother: Caroline Sophia Mayhew (Fox) 1858-1946
Christening: 10 March 1886 St John, Hammersmith, Middlesex, UK
Marriage: 26 September 1915 St John the Baptist, Erith, Kent, UK
Wife: Marian (Marion) Annie Davis 1885-1980
Death: 30 August 1956 Tolangi, Church Road, Basildon, Essex, UK
Eric William Challis 1920-2011
Birth of Frederick William Challis in FreeBMD in October-December 1884 in Wandsworth (1d 624).
Entry in Ancestry London, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906 for Frederick William Challis baptised on 10 March 1886 at Saint John the Evangelist, Hammersmith, parents Frederick and Caroline Challis. "Page 119 Baptisms solemnized in the Parish of [blank but St John's Hammersmith on the previous page] in the County of [blank but Middlessex on the previous page] in the year One thousand eight hundred and [blank but eighty six on the previous page] P [private?] 1886 March 10th No.918 Frederick William, parents Frederick, a Ship's Steward, and Caroline Challis of 52 Mansion House Street 3 Nov '84".
In the 1891 census as Frederick W Challen (sic - in the index, Challis on the original) aged 6, born in Battersea, and living with his uncle and aunt (William and Eliza Penwarden), and his cousin (William G Mayhew) and his wife (Ann Mayhew) at 17 Abbey Grove, Plumstead, London.
In the 1901 census as Frederick W Challis aged 16, born in Battersea, London, single, a general labourer, and living with his mother (Caroline), and brother (Edmund J) at 16 Abbey Lane, Plumstead, London. Eliza Penwarden was living at the same address.
In the 1911 census as Frederick William Challis aged 26, born in London, single, a machine hand brass finishing at Royal Arsenal RL, and living with his parents (Frederick and Caroline) and brother (Edward James) in four rooms at 33 Gatling Road, Wickham Lane, Plumstead, London
Marriage of Frederick W Challis and Marion A Davis in FreeBMD in July-September 1915 in Dartford (2a 1801).
Entry in Ancestry Bexley, Kent, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1935 for Frederick William Challis aged 30, father Frederick Challis, and Marion Annie Davis aged 29, father Arthur David, on 26 September 1915 at St John the Baptist, Erith, Kent. "Page 37 [...] 1915 Marriage solemnized in the Parish Church in the Parish of Erith in the County of Kent No 74 Twenty Sixth September 1915 Frederick William Challis aged 30, a Bachelor and Machinist of 33 Girling Road, Plumstead, father Frederick Challis, Seaman (Retired), and Marion Annie Davis aged 29, a Spinster of 33 Crossness, father Arthur Davis, a Launch Driver, Married in the Parish Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church after Banns [...] in the Presence of us A Davis, J Davis and M J F Emmett".
Entry in Ancestry British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920 for Frederick William Challis 349838 Royal Engineers address 33 Garling Street, Plumstead aged 31 years 1 month, a machinist attested 9 December 1915 at Woolwich. Height 5ft 7.75 inches, girth 34.5+3 inches, wife Mrs Marion Annie Challis (nee Davis (Spinster)) of 33 Garling Street, Plumstead married on 26 September 1915 at Parish Church, Erith, transferred to Army Reserve 10 December 1915, mobilized 22 April 1918, 28 April 1918 interviewed at Kingston, a Fair Machinist No Milling posted to Trade Test Centre Woolwich 8 May 1918, de-mobilized 22 March 1919 address 92 Deansfield. He appears to have been a signals linesman. A medical report Road 2 March 1918 gives his birth in Battersea, Middlesex, age 33 years 4 months, a machine hand, height 5 ft 6.75 in, weight 114.5 lbs, brown hair, sallow complexion, grey eyes, chest 34.5 + 3 in, fair development, mole on R shoulder l side of ?, carious tooth, complains of pains in cardiac region result of injury nine years ago .
There are two entries in Ancestry London, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1965 for Frederick William Challis address 92 Deansfield Road, Eltham, Woolwich, Newham in 1918 and 1919, other occupant Marion Annie Challis (wife?).
His son was born in Billericay in 1920.
In the 1939 England and Wales Register as Frederick Chattis (sic) born 3 November 1884, married, a general farm worker dairy round, and living with Marian Annie Challis (wife?), Caroline Sophia Challis (mother), and one other (son?) at Talangi, Church Road, Billericay, Essex.
Emma Louisa Alice Cowles, his wife's aunt, died at Tolangi Church-road Basildon, Essex in 1946 and left effects of £923 6s to Frederick William Challis farm worker and Marion Annie Challis (wife of the said Frederick William Challis).
Arthur Cowles, his wife's first cousin, died on 24 September 1952 at 48 Wood Street, Chelmsford and left effects of £2064 15s" to Frederick William Challis retired carpenter.
Death of Frederick W Challis in FreeBMD in July-September 1956 aged 71 in Brentwood (4a 329).
Entry in Ancestry England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966 for Frederick William Challis died 30 August 1956 in Essex, probate 2 November 1956 London. "Challis Frederick William of Tolangi Church-road Basildon Essex died 30 August 1956 Probate London 2 November to Marion Annie Challis widow. Effects £1535 17s. 6d.".
Nine entries in Ancestry Public Member Trees for Frederick Challis born in 1884 in Battersea, London, parents Frederick Challis and Caroline Sophia Mayhew.
Frederick William Challis was the husband of Marion Annie Davis, my first cousin once removed.
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