CHALLONER, John

John Challoner was the son of Alfred and Alice Challoner of 19 Saltbrook Road, Lye. He enlisted in the artillery and was posted to the Royal Field Artillery as a driver in the Guards Division Ammunition Column. In July 1917 the Guards arrived in the front line on the Yser Canal at Boesinge for the Third Battle of Ypres. On the first day, unlike many units, they achieved considerable success in pushing forward and crossed the Steenbeek. At the end of August they returned and crossed the next obstacle, the Brombeek. They were out of the line in late September in preparation for the Battle of Poelcappelle. However, the artillery remained to assist other units and the Ammunition Column continued its arduous and dangerous work. German shelling of the British lines was always heavy and Driver John Challoner was probably severely wounded in this way. He was taken to a Casualty Clearing Station, but died of wounds on the 29th September. He was 28 years of age and is buried in Canada Farm British Cemetery (III A 11) near Boesinge and is commemorated on the Lye and Wollescote and Lye church Memorials. His brother, William, also served and was killed in 1918.